1DD 


1  Later  Poems 


Edward  Octavus  Flagg 


LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF 
CALIFORNIA 

SANTA  CRUZ 


frit 


/> 


POEMS 

SECOND  EDITION,  AND 

LATER  POEMS 


BY 

EDWARD  OCTAVUS  FLAGG 


NEW-YORK 
THOMAS  WHITTAKER 

2  AND  3  BIBLE  HOUSE 
1895 


Copyright,  1890,  1895,  by 
THOMAS  WHITTAKER. 


THE  DE  VINNE  PRESS. 


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REV.   EDWARD  OCTAVUS  FLAGG,   D.  D. 

POET  OF  THE  52 D  ANNUAL  CONVENTION  OF  THE 
ALPHA  DELTA  PHI  FRATERNITY. 

DR.  FLAGG  was  born  at  Georgetown,  S.  C.,  Decem- 
ber 13,  1824.  His  father  was  Henry  Collins  Flagg, 
Jr.,  of  Yale,  Class  of  1812;  and  his  grandfather,  Henry 
Collins,  was  surgeon  in  the  Revolutionary  army  on  Gen- 
eral Nathanael  Greene's  staff.  While  at  Yale,  Henry  Col- 
lins Flagg,  Jr.,  a  native  of  Charleston,  S.  C.,  met  his  wife, 
Miss  Martha  Whiting,  daughter  of  Wm.  J.  Whiting,  a  court 
officer  and  a  Yale  man. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  attended  the  Lancasterian 
school  of  New  Haven,  where  he  was  the  gold  medallist  as 
best  scholar,  and  it  was  said  of  him  by  his  teacher,  Mr.  John 
E.  Lovell,  that  "  he  was  able  to  do  more  things  and  do 
them  better  "  than  any  boy  that  ever  came  under  his  tui- 
tion. His  versatility  was  always  remarkable.  At  thirteen 
he  was  offered  $400  per  annum  as  an  assistant  in  a  promi- 
nent school.  After  finishing  a  course  of  instruction  at  the 
Lancasterian  and  Hopkins  Grammar  School,  New  Haven, 
he  studied  civil  engineering.  He  then  entered  Trinity 
College,  Hartford.  Among  the  first  in  his  class  while 
there,  he  was  obliged,  in  consequence  of  financial  depres- 
sion, to  leave  before  graduating.  He  studied  law  during 
a  short  period  for  educational  training.  Possessing  a  tal- 
ent for  music,  he  became  a  member  of  the  choir  of  Trinity 


vi  Rev.  Edward  Octavus  Flagg,  D.  D. 

Church,  New  Haven.  Under  the  ministration  of  Rev. 
Dr.  Harry  Croswell,  his  thoughts  were  led  to  the  study  of 
divinity,  and  he  became  a  candidate  for  Holy  Orders.  He 
pursued  a  course  of  theology  under  the  direction  of  the 
Rev.  Drs.  Croswell,  Cook,  and  Pitkin.  Upon  entering 
the  ministry,  his  first  charge  was  that  of  assistant  to  Rev. 
Dr.  William  F.  Morgan  (afterward  of  St.  Thomas's  Church, 
New  York  city)  in  Norwich,  Conn. 

An  organization  of  a  second  church  in  that  parish,  called 
Trinity,  resulted  in  his  election  to  the  rectorship.  A  fine 
congregation  grew  up  under  his  pastorate,  and  another 
church  was  founded  and  developed  in  Yantic,  Conn. 

Thereafter  he  was  associate  rector  of  St.  Paul's  at  Balti- 
more, Md.,  acting  rector  of  Trinity  at  New  Orleans,  re- 
fusing the  permanent  rectorship  at  $6000  a  year,  and 
effectively  recommending  as  his  successor  Bishop  Leonidas 
Polk.  He  was  rector  of  St.  Paul's,  at  Paterson,  N.  J. 
After  a  year  abroad  for  his  health,  he  accepted  a  call  to 
All  Saints,  in  New  York  city.  At  the  request  of  a  few 
friends  he  organized  the  Church  of  the  Resurrection,  New 
York,  which  was  eventually  handed  over  to  another  pres- 
byter. Again  going  abroad  in  consequence  of  ill  health, 
on  his  return  he  supplied  several  parishes,  including  St. 
Mark's,  in  New  York,  where  his  ministrations  were  highly 
acceptable.  He  was  long  an  assistant  at  Grace  Church, 
New  York,  under  Bishop  Henry  C.  Potter  and  Dr.  Wm. 
R.  Huntington,  where  his  powers  of  elocution  were  widely 
acknowledged. 

His  last  charge  was  St.  Mark's,  Tarrytown,  the  rectory 
of  which  was  purchased  during  his  incumbency.  Threat- 


Rev.  Edward  Octavus  Flagg,  D.  D.  vii 

ened  with  a  second  attack  of  pneumonia,  he  relinquished 
regular  parish  work. 

Dr.  Flagg  came  naturally  by  his  abilities.  His  father 
was  for  five  years  editor  of  a  Connecticut  journal,  and  five 
years  mayor  of  New  Haven,  as  well  as  judge  of  the  city 
court.  He  was  a  brilliant  orator,  and  noted  for  his  elocu- 
tionary powers. 

The  son's  travels  have  been  very  extensive.  While 
in  New  Orleans  he  was  spoken  of  for  bishop  of  Texas. 
It  is  said  that  while  preaching  in  New  York,  his  name, 
among  forty-seven  candidates,  came  before  the  coun- 
cil of  the  New  York  University  as  worthy  the  degree 
of  D.  D.  Hon.  James  T.  Brady,  who  had  then  recently 
heard  of  an  extempore  address  of  Dr.  Flagg  under  em- 
barrassing circumstances,  warmly  championed  him,  backed 
by  Gov.  John  T.  Hoffman,  and  of  the  three  degrees  then 
conferred  his  was  one. 

While  preaching  in  New  York,  he  was  made  chaplain 
of  the  Prince  of  Orange  Lodge  of  Free  Masons,  and  of 
the  gth  Regiment  of  the  N.  G.  S.  N.  Y.  He  preached  at 
Col.  James  Fiske's  burial;  also  a  sermon  over  those  who 
fell  in  the  riots  of  '71.  This  was  published  by  the  press 
throughout  the  country,  and  was  much  commended  for  its 
eloquence  and  fearlessness,  many  congratulatory  letters 
being  received.  During  the  visit  of  the  Qth  Regiment  to 
Boston  at  the  celebration  of  the  Battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  he 
preached  a  patriotic  sermon  in  the  Boston  Theater. 

Colonel  Fiske  told  his  private  secretary  that  his  purpose 
was  to  erect  for  the  Doctor  ultimately  as  handsome  a 
church  as  could  be  found  in  the  city  of  New  York. 


viii  Rev.  Edward  Octavus  Flagg,  D.  D. 

Dr.  Flagg  has  lectured  extensively  in  New  York,  Massa- 
chusetts, Connecticut,  and  New  Jersey,  in  schools  and  on 
public  occasions.  His  lectures  have  been  on  history, 
logic,  literature,  and  the  English  language.  From  early 
youth  he  has  been  a  favorite  of  the  Muse,  and  his  love  for 
versification  has  resulted  in  a  large  number  of  poems, 
most  of  which  are  the  product  of  his  later  years.  All  of 
them  show  not  only  a  musical  spirit,  but  a  decided  origi- 
nality and  versatility.  Among  the  most  noted  are  "  Live 
it  Down,"  "Adirondack  Poems,"  "A  Word/'  and  the 
Convention  poem  before  the  Alpha  Delta  Phi,  in  1884, 
which  fraternity  he  joined  while  in  Trinity,  and  where  he 
is  often  a  toast-master  among  the  Alpha  Delts. 

Flagg's  poems  have  appeared  in  prominent  journals  in 
the  East  and  middle  West.  Many  have  been  set  to  music 
by  S.  P.  Warren,  Harrison  Millard,  and  other  composers. 
He  published  a  volume  including  "The  Prodigal  Son," 
which  won  golden  opinions.  He  is  widely  known  as 
preacher,  lecturer,  and  poet. 

Dr.  Flagg's  first  wife,  Eliza  W.,  was  the  daughter  of 
Gen.  William  Gibbs  McNeil,  U.  S.  A.,  who  was  a  graduate 
of  West  Point,  standing  at  the  head  of  his  class.  His 
second  wife,  Mary  Laetitia,  is  the  daughter  of  Judge 
Joshua  Beal  Ferris,  late  of  Stamford,  Conn.,  who  was  a 
graduate  of  Yale. 

Dr.  Flagg  is  a  member  of  the  Sons  of  the  Revolution, 
Huguenot  Society,  the  Ridgefield  (Conn.)  Club,  and  a 
number  of  other  societies. 

The  American  University  Magazine. 

NOVEMBER,  1894. 


PROLEGOMENA. 

THERE  is  little  allurement  in  our  day  to  tempt  the  un- 
professional writer  into  the  field  of  polite  literature. 
The  rewards  of  present  fame  or  pecuniary  profit  are  now 
reduced  to  a  minimum  —  where  they  can  be  said  to  exist 
at  all.  As  respects  the  verdict  of  posterity,  however,  an- 
other view  offers  itself.  Certainly  no  harm  is  done  in  seek- 
ing it:  for  if  the  writing  never  reach  the  jury,  literature 
will  not  suffer ;  while  if  it  ever  do  get  so  far,  it  will  be  only 
because  it  deserves  to  be  heard.  Besides,  he  who  writes 
honestly  for  posterity  must  be  strongly  impressed  with  the 
conviction  that  he  has  something  particular  to  say;  and 
the  world  is  always  the  gainer  by  the  work  of  an  earnest 
man  —  unless  perchance  he  be  mad  or  silly. 

It  is  a  poor  and  contemptible  lamentation  of  the  un- 
successful writer,  that  there  are  already  too  many  authors. 
To  one  holding  such  views,  good  sense  ought  to  dictate 
that  he  would  better  quit  the  field,  and  not  add  to  what  he 
complains  of  as  a  nuisance.  Unless  an  author  thoroughly 
believes  he  has  something  new  to  say  to  the  world, 

.  .  .  there  's  nothing  so  becomes  a  man 
As  modest  stillness  and  humility. 

Yet  I  suppose  the  true  reason  why  men  write  belles- 
lettres,  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  publishers  pay  so  few  of 


x  Prolegomena. 

them  for  their  work,  is  that  many  writers  court  a  sympathy 
for  their  thoughts  they  cannot  hope  otherwise  to  reach. 
There  is  always  a  large  number  of  men  and  women  in 
every  community  whose  education  and  ideas  are  beyond 
the  appreciation  of  those  immediately  surrounding  them. 
They  grow  dissatisfied  with  the  exercise  of  merely  revolv- 
ing their  "thoughts,  feelings,  and  fancies"  in  silence  in 
their  own  minds.  It  is  a  healthy  relief  to  their  mental  con- 
gestion when  they  have  the  courage  to  write  them  out. 
Besides,  by  so  formulating  them,  they  can  the  better  test 
their  coherency  and  soundness.  Moreover,  when  once 
written,  they  may  be  dismissed  from  the  mind  of  the  au- 
thor, to  make  way  for  new  ones  based  either  upon,  and 
evolved  from,  what  is  thus  laid  aside,  or  upon  what  is 
freshly  originated  from  a  new  angle  of  vision.  It  was  well 
said,  somewhat  in  this  spirit,  by  La  Bruyere :  "  When  I 
wish  to  forget  anything  entirely,  I  write  it  down." 

But  there  is  a  great  deal  more  than  this.  Every  man 
who  really  is  inspired  by  the  mens  divinior  has  within  him 
what  may  be  called  a  spiritual  instinct  for  self-perpetua- 
tion. He  desires  intellectual  offspring.  When  he  writes 
with  this  aspiration,  he  spins  from  his  own  vitals  as  cer- 
tainly as  does  the  silk-worm.  Coupled  with  this  instinct, 
when  it  is  normal  and  sane,  is  the  conviction  that  posterity 
will  "  not  willingly  let  die  "  his  memory.  So  strong  is  this 
overpowering  faith  that  it  often  so  overcomes  his  modesty 
as  to  make  him,  like  Horace  and  others,  blurt  out  such  ex- 
pressions as  Non  omnis  mortar,  or  Exegi  monumentum,  etc. 
Who  shall  blame  his  honesty  ? 

I  have  been  led  to  these  reflections  by  reading  the  fore- 


Prolegomena.  xi 

going  biographical  sketch  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Flagg,  and  ex- 
amining some  of  the  advance-sheets  of  a  volume  of  his 
poems  now  in  press.  There  are,  in  many  of  these  verses,  an 
impress  of  earnestness,  a  religious  spirit,  a  fervor  of  patriot- 
ism, and  a  touch  of  deep  feeling  that  need  no  apology  for 
coming  into  the  overcrowded  mart  of  poetical  offerings  at 
this  time.  It  is  in  evidence  that  a  man  who  has  led  so 
busy  a  life  was  under  the  influence  of  some  irrepressible 
afflatus,  else  he  would  have  found  occupation  for  all  of  his 
hours  —  when  out  of  professional  harness  —  without  yield- 
ing to  the  importunities  of  the  Muse.  The  brief  verses 
"Live  it  Down"  (often  set  to  music),  UA  Word,"  and 
"  Death  is  Swallowed  up  in  Victory,"  to  be  found  among 
the  more  recent  poems  in  this  collection,  are  specially  to 
be  commended  to  any  susceptible  reader. 

From  the  touching  verses  entitled  "  A  Word,"  a  single 
stanza  is  here  quoted  as  a  specimen  of  the  Doctor's  musical 
quality : 

Perchance  a  word  we  now  remember, 

Of  one  long  passed  away ; 
It  comes  back  in  our  life's  December, 

A  blossom  of  its  May. 
Not  volumes,  with  such  gentle  power, 

The  depths  of  soul  awake; 
'T  will  linger  to  our  latest  hour 

For  that  loved  sleeper's  sake. 


DECEMBER,  1894.  A.  M. 


CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 

A  COMRADE 227 

A  DOG'S  DEATH 206 

A  HYPERCRITICAL  WORLD— FROM  THE  AFGHAN.  . . .  100 

AIR   OF    SlASCONSET 135 

AT  A  BANQUET  OF  THE  SONS  OF  THE  REVOLUTION.  246 

A  TRUST 220 

A  WORD 190 

BEAUTIFUL  HUDSON 134 

BE  LOWLY,  O  CHRISTIAN  ! 108 

CALAMITY 105 

CAMP  SONG  ( i ) 86 

CAMP  SONG  (2) 87 

CAMP  SONG  (3)  .  .• 88 

CAST  ANCHOR 136 

CHILDREN  AND  THE  CHURCH 241 

CHRISTMAS  CAROL  (i)   71 

CHRISTMAS  CAROL  (2)   73 

CHRISTMAS  MEDITATIONS 69 

CLOUDS 158 

CONJUGALITY 226 

CONVENTION  POEM  OF  THE  ALPHA  DELTA  PHI 41 

"  DEATH  is  SWALLOWED  UP  IN  VICTORY  " 233 

DEDICATION  OF  AN  ALBUM 141 

DIES  IRJE 230 

DOES  THE  POET  LIVE  ? 214 

EASTER  CAROL , 156 

FLORAL  TRIBUTE 63 

GENERAL  VON  MOLTKE 196 


xiv  Contents. 

PAGE. 

HAIL  WE  ALL  THE  GLADSOME  HOUR 235 

"  HOPE  MAKETH  NOT  ASHAMED  " 243 

I  LOOK  BEYOND   131 

I  LOVE  MY  CHURCH 240 

INDIVIDUALITY 103 

IN  MEMORY  OF  PHILLIPS  BROOKS 221 

LET  DOWN  THE  BARS 216 

LIFE  AS  IT  is 127 

LIFE  IN  DEATH , 1 23 

LINES  ON  THE  DEATH  OF  LONGFELLOW 95 

LIVE  IT  DOWN 159 

LORD  TENNYSON 197 

MODERATE  AIMS 228 

MOONLIGHT  AT  RIDGEFIELD 225 

MY  CANARY 209 

MY  FLOWERS 139 

MY  FRIEND 200 

MY  WORLD  WITHIN  157 

NEVER  DESPAIR 149 

NEW  VERSION  OF  THE  SCRIPTURES 151 

No  NORTH,  No  SOUTH 153 

NOVEMBER  MUSINGS 199 

OMNIPRESENCE 238 

ON  PRESENTING  A  FLORAL  HORSESHOE  TO  A  BRIDE,  148 

ON  SEEING  A  PICTURE  OF  LABORERS  AT  PRAYER  ...  146 

ON  THE  DEATH  OF  NATHANIEL  S.  RICHARDSON,  D.  D.  115 

ON  THE  DEATH  OF  REV.  STEPHEN  H.  TYNG,  D.  D. . .  129 

OTONDA 165 

PARTING  HYMN  FOR  THE  VAN  NORMAN  INSTITUTE,  143 

PARTING  HYMN 234 

RAIN 207 

REASON  AND  REVELATION 237 

REFINEMENT 155 


Contents.  xv 

PAGE. 

RENEWAL  OF  WORK  ON  BARTHOLDI'S  STATUE 98 

REVERIES  ON  VIRGINIA  BEACH 203 

ST.  HUBERT'S  ISLE  (i) 83 

ST.  HUBERT'S  ISLE  (2) 85 

STANLEY'S  MARCH —   160 

STATEN  ISLAND 119 

TAKE  NO  THOUGHT  FOR  THE  MORROW 121 

TEACHERS  OF  IMMORTALITY 244 

ATHEISM 144 

THE  BEAR  IN  THE  ADIRONDACKS 89 

THE  BELL  BUOY 113 

THE  BETTER  SIDE 241 

THE  BREAKER ' 112 

THE  DAUGHTERS  OF  THE  REVOLUTION 192 

THE  DREADED  ISLAND 201 

THE  EASTER  SONG 236 

THE  EMPTY  STOCKING , 75 

THE  ENGLISHMAN  AND  THE  SCOT 212 

THE  EVENING  GUN  138 

"  THE  FAR-AWAY  LOOK  " 217 

THE  FLOWERS  IN  BOSTON  PUBLIC  GARDEN 204 

THE  GRAVE  OF  JOSEPH  RODMAN  DRAKE 1 18 

THE  HIDDEN  CROSS 1 1 1 

THE  HORSE 211 

THE  LION'S  FEAST 186 

THE  LORD'S  PRAYER 207 

THE  MAGDALEN'S  PRAYER 141 

THE  OCTOGENARIAN'S  LAMENT 215 

THE  PRODIGAL  SON 1 1 

THE  SEVENTIETH  BIRTHDAY  OF  WILLIAM  TECUMSEH 

SHERMAN 197 

THE  SILENT  MARCH 117 

THE  SILKWORM 244 


xvi  Contents. 

PAGE. 

THE  SOUL  OF  LOVE 223 

THE  STORM  SPIRIT 224 

THE  TOMB  OF  ULYSSES  S.  GRANT 109 

THE  WACCAMAW ,  219 

THE  WINDS 147 

"  THOSE  WE  REMEMBER  " 229 

To  A  BEREAVED  FRIEND 79 

To  A  DISTINGUISHED  PHYSICIAN  ON  HIS  SEVENTY- 
SECOND  BIRTHDAY 213 

To  A  FRIEND  AFTER  A  LONG  ABSENCE 210 

To  BE  A  PROTESTANT 107 

To  MY  DAUGHTER  BESSIE 132 

To  MY  DAUGHTER  SALLIE 133 

To  ONE  BORN  ON  CHRISTMAS  DAY 74 

To  THE  CAPITOL  AT  WASHINGTON 194 

UNCROWNED  KINGS 222 

VAIN  REGRETS J 16 

WASHINGTON 124 

WINTER 125 

WORK  FOR  LOVE  AND  DUTY 64 


THE  PRODIGAL  SON. 


THE  PRODIGAL  SON. 


HOME  of  old  enchained  the  eye 
Of  those  its  charms  might  see ; 
Parental  kindness  wove  a  tie, 

From  formal  rule  set  free. 
The  wearied,  there  enticed  to  rest, 
Could  find  some  spell  to  soothe  the  breast. 


ii 

In  pride  the  brilliant  lily  grew, 
Which  paled  the  monarch's  sheen, 

When  gorgeous  clad  he  met  the  view 
Of  Sheba's  noted  queen. 

Cool  zephyrs  fanned  where  fountains  played, 

And  sweetest  bird-notes  filled  the  glade. 


12  The  Prodigal  Son. 

in 

No  careless  wish,  at  random  sent, 

Was  ever  breathed  in  vain, 
And  cunning  skill,  with  kind  intent, 

Stood  near  to  baffle  pain. 
'T  would  seem  one  scarce  could  wish  for  more, 
On  earth,  than  blessed  that  home  of  yore. 

IV 

But  strange,  there  dwells  in  wayward  man 

A  demon  ill  at  ease, 
Howe'er  contrivance  lays  its  plan, 

The  changeful  whim  to  please — 
The  word  of  fondness,  winning  smile, 
Can  ne'er  from  purpose  rash  beguile. 

v 

An  elder  son,  severe  and  sage, 

Endued  with  self-control, 
Sought  first  to  nurse  a  father's  age, 

And  never  wished  to  stroll 
From  scenes,  wherein,  his  childhood  reared, 
The  ripening  hours  had  more  endeared. 

VI 

Like  nestling,  beating  half-formed-wing, 
Assaying  flight  in  vain, 


The  Prodigal  Son.  13 

His  brother  scorned  joy's  well-known  spring, 

Forbidden  fruits  to  gain. 
Impatient,  like  a  mastiff  bound, 
He  filled  the  air  with  doleful  sound. 


VII 

To  sire  indulgent  thus  he  spake, 

In  tone  unfilial,  rude  : 
"  My  portion  give,  and  let  me  break 

From  scenes  in  which  long  mewed. 
'T  is  hard  to  bear  restraint  unmeet ; 
I  wish  a  stirring  world  to  greet." 

VIII 

This  heedless  youth,  with  skill  untried, 

Would  tempt  a  stormy  wave, 
While  those  who  oft  have  stemmed  the  tide 

Dare  not  such  billow  brave. 
The  early  buds  too  soon  will  die, 
And  fledglings  fall  that  strive  to  fly. 

IX 

Thus  ever  man  insults  that  Will, 

Obeyed,  revered  above : 
Yea,  whispered  accents  mild  and  still, 

Embalmed  in  Jesus'  love ; 
Distrustful  as  to  daily  bread, 
Though  like  the  sparrow,  constant  fed. 


14  The  Prodigal  Son. 


Since  every  effort  proved  but  vain, 

To  reach  such  truant  mind, 
The  father,  fraught  with  heartfelt  pain 

That  love  had  ceased  to  bind, 
Though  deeply  moved  his  child  to  save, 
The  portion  sought,  reluctant  gave. 

XI 

'T  is  thus,  while  leads  that  Shepherd's  crook 
Which  guides  to  pastures  green, 

Those  deaf  through  sin,  no  longer  brook 
A  counsel  wise,  serene. 

Permission  tempts  a  soul  awry, 

Its  own  inventions  crude  to  try. 

XII 

This  younger  brother  sees  a  life 

Of  pleasure,  half-revealed, — 
Those  pastimes  which  with  death  are  rife, 

Whose  poison  lies  concealed, — 
A  thoughtless  boy  let  loose  from  school, 
Deriding  all  restrictive  rule. 

XIII 

Endowed  with  means  to  suit  his  ends, 
Inconstant  fancy  please, 


The  Prodigal  Son.  15 

His  mind  perverted,  close  he  bends, 

The  shortest  route  to  seize, 
By  which  to  gain  the  perfumed  heights, 
Where  sweet  Hymettus  yields  delights. 

XIV 

He  would  some  "  far  off  country  "  seek, 

Unvexed  by  precepts  sage, 
Where  healthful  warnings  should  not  preach, 

From  lips  of  hoary  age. 
He  longed  to  roam  in  sunny  lands, 
'Mid  mirth,  and  song,  and  sarabands. 

xv 

The  sinner's  haunts  are  far  away 

From  God's  serene  domain; 
'Mid  riot,  pomp  and  roundelay, 

Where  madness  waits  on  pain, 
Those  Saturnalia,  wild  and  deep, 
In  which  both  law  and  virtue  sleep. 

XVI 

With  lavish  hand  he  strewed  the  wealth, 

His  father  kind  bestowed. 
He  lightly  ventured  name  and  health, 

While  free  the  goblet  flowed. 
The  gold,  long  stored  with  frugal  care, 
Exhaled  like  mist  that  melts  in  air. 


The  Prodigal  Son. 

XVII 

With  forethought  drugged,  he  tossed  the  dice, 

To  artful  rogues  a  prey  : 
In  secret,  where  the  gamester's  vice 

Abhors  the  light  of  day. 
By  guile  allowed,  he  won  at  first, 
Till  deep  decoyed,  he  fared  the  worst. 

XVIII 

Attired  in  fashion's  raiment  new, 

Of  costly  fabrics  made; 
He  oft  appeared  in  varied  hue, 

With  silly  dress  parade. 
By  foppish  trappings'  tawdry  glare, 
He  sought  to  make  plebeians  stare. 

XIX 

He  roamed  in  halls  of  marble  white, 
Enriched  with  bronze  and  gold, 

Where  windows  flashing  mingled  light, 
Devices  quaint  unfold  — 

Gay  nymphs  and  satyrs  oft  descried, 

'Mid  columns,  bas-reliefs  beside. 

xx 

Fair  vases  pleased,  of  Egypt's  art, 
Surpassing  later  skill, 


The  Prodigal  Son.  17 

And  Grecian  taste  performed  its  part, 

Some  favored  niche  to  fill ; 
The  painter  spread  a  wanton  charm, 
That  gilded  vice  and  augured  harm. 

XXI 

The  seas  were  dragged,  the  woods  explored, 

Which  dainty  food  supplied. 
Choice  wines,  that  clusters  rich  afford, 

Out  flowed,  a  crimson  tide. 
Attendants  grave,  a  dusky  band, 
Obeyed  at  once  their  lord's  command. 

XXII 

In  splendid  chariot  swift  he  rode, 

By  prancing  coursers  drawn, 
Equipped  in  latest  courtly  mode, 

They  swept  across  the  lawn  — 
Ambitious  in  his  paltry  lust, 
To  revel  'mid  a  cloud  of  dust. 

XXIII 

The  syren  Pleasure  lured  him  on, 

To  vilest  haunts  of  crime, 
Till  shame  had  left  its  youthful  throne,- 

That  shield  which  guards  our  prime. 
He  sacrificed  life's  sacred  hours 
To  Vice  that  haunts  voluptuous  bowers. 
2 


1 8  The  Prodigal  Son. 

XXIV 

A  dulcet  voice  entranced  his  ear, 
Like  chiming  water's  flow. 

He  deemed  no  lurking  evil  near, 
Presaging  future  woe. 

As  beauty  spun  her  subtle  thread, 

Defeated  resolution  fled. 

xxv 

At  game  he  lost,  yet  still  he  played, 
Until  his  hoard  was  gone. 

His  summer  friends  their  exit  made, 
And  left  him  all  alone. 

A  helpless  wreck  on  fortune's  main, 

No  beacon  rose  to  cheer  again. 

XXVI 

To  drown  remorse  he  quaffed  the  bowl, 
While  imps  shrieked  through  the  air, 

As  reason  fled  beyond  control, 
Uprose  a  lurid  glare ; 

And  when  deep  tolled  the  midnight  bell, 

Before  him  yawned  avenging  hell. 

XXVII 

By  want  distressed,  he  sought  for  aid, 
Of  those  his  purse  had  shared, 


The  Prodigal  Son.  19 

But  quick  did  summer  friends  evade 

His  suit  —  nor  e'en  had  cared 
Should  he,  so  kind  when  they  applied, 
Through  such  ingratitude  have  died. 

XXVIII 

A  mighty  famine  smote  the  land, 

Scant  fruits  the  harvest  bore. 
'T  was  so  when  great  Jehovah's  hand 

Had  Israel  scourged  of  yore  ; 
When  men  despised  those  terms  benign, 
Declared  by  seer,  upheld  by  sign: 

XXIX 

"  A  citizen  "  't  is  told  he  found 

Amid  his  sorry  plight, 
Who  soon  to  vilest  service  bound 

This  man  that  scorned  the  right. 
He  sent  him  to  the  sty  to  feed 
The  unclean  brute  of  sateless  greed. 

XXX 

And  could  he,  stricken  thus,  still  rove, 

Yet  longer  leave  his  home  ? 
Despised  and  scorned,  neglect  that  love, 

Whence  madly  lured  to  roam  ? 
Did  Folly  tread  its  thorny  way, 
Unblessed  by  Duty's  filial  ray  ? 


20  The  Prodigal  Son. 

XXXI 

So  weak  are  all  apart  from  God, 

Sad  wanderers  o'er  the  earth, 
They  lightly  heed  correction's  rod, 

Impugn  their  heavenly  birth. 
But  harder  yet  the  lot  in  store, 
For  Crime  will  scourge  them  more  and  more. 

XXXII 

What  thoughts  within,  conflicting  burned, 
When  pondering  o'er  his  fate, — 

To  swineherd's  menial  labor  turned, 
From  rich  and  envied  state ! 

Alas,  the  baneful  fruits  of  sin  ! 

Such  prize  do  Pleasure's  suitors  win. 

XXXIII 

Can  Jew  descend  to  this  gross  task, 
Take  charge  of  loathsome  beast, 

Whose  flesh  no  hind  would  stoop  to  ask 
For  meanest  Hebrew  feast  ? 

Those  demon-haunted  go-betweens, 

Where  dwelt  the  heathen  Gadarenes ! 

XXXIV 

Behold  a  step  beyond,  Vice  leads 
One  duped  through  self-deceit. 


The  Prodigal  Son.  21 

Devouring  hunger  loudly  pleads 

For  husks  the  swine  did  eat. 
But  e'en  such  boon  no  hand  would  give, 
That  this  poor  famished  wretch  might  live. 

XXXV 

No  better  lot  mere  Sense  bestows, 

On  such  as  woo  her  joys; 
From  worse  to  worse  the  victim  goes, 

As  Satan's  art  decoys. 

Those  bound  to  flesh  who  slight  God's  will, 
With  world  husks  ne'er  can  have  their  fill. 

xxxvi 

Now  turn  aside  from  this  sad  scene, 

With  sacred  lessons  fraught ; 
In  hope  that  all  God's  care  may  screen, 

From  joys  by  ruin  bought ; 
And  let  the  heart  its  strength  renew, 
As  brighter  prospects  meet  the  view. 

XXXVII 

'Neath  yonder  tall  and  beauteous  tree, 

With  branches  spreading  wide, 
Inviting  by  its  shade,  to  flee 

From  heat  and  traffic's  tide, — 
Behold  a  feeble,  outstretched  form, — 
A  stranded  bark  in  life's  rude  storm. 


22  The  Prodigal  Son. 

XXXVIII 

He  wears  a  garb  of  coarsest  kind, 
His  feet  are  bruised  and  bare, 

The  stifled,  sighing,  dirge-like  wind 
Uplifts  his  silken  hair. 

Too  soon  the  marks  of  age  appear, 

For  Time  could  leave  few  tokens  here. 


xxxix 

His  features,  formed  of  classic  mold, 
Were  once  a  parent's  pride ; — 

Misguided  friends  their  beauty  told, 
While  worth  was  laid  aside. 

Indulgence,  mark  the  fatal  end 

To  which  thy  unsafe  guidings  tend ! 

XL 

The  tearful  eyelids  oft  o'erflow, 
'Mid  bursts  of  poignant  grief, 

As  though  the  soul,  oppressed  with  woe, 
Could  never  find  relief. 

A  weeping  child  again  we  see, 

In  him  abased  beneath  yon  tree. 

XLI 

Reproaches  come  from  every  brute 
Which  uncomplaining  feeds, — 


The  Prodigal  Son.  23 

Content,  enforced  in  language  mute, 
With  what  supplies  our  needs ; — 
He  learns  how  all  God's  creatures  thrive, 
Who  by  His  law  submissive  live. 

XLII 

"  Unto  himself"  he  now  has  come, 

His  manhood's  nobler  self. 
A  blessing  sober  thought  has  won, 

Transcending  fame  or  pelf. 
The  grief  he  cannot  longer  bear 
A  bliss  enfolds,  which  angels  share. 

XLIII 

He  muses,  how  the  hireling  bands, 

That  serve  his  sire's  full  board, 
Best  food  enjoy  the  yielding  lands 

In  harvest  rich  afford ; 
While  famished  he,  with  portion  fled, 
Could  claim  no  place  to  rest  his  head. 

XLIV 

A  late  repentance  melts  his  heart, 

And  bends  his  stubborn  will ; 
Deep  yearnings,  long  repressed,  upstart, 

Nor  shame  nor  fear  can  chill. 
They  bid  an  injured  parent  seek, 
So  just  and  yet  withal  so  meek. 


24  The  Prodigal  Son. 

XLV 

"  I  will,"  the  truant  says,  "  arise, 

And  to  my  father  go. 
Will  say,  '  My  sin  to  heaven  cries, 

A  sin  that  brings  thee  woe. 
Thy  servant  make  me,  call  not  son 
An  ingrate  who  such  wrong  hath  done.' " 

XLVI 

A  parent's  love  no  tongue  can  tell, 

'T  is  like  the  ocean  deep, 
Which  laves  the  shore  with  ceaseless  swell, 

It  cannot  pause  nor  sleep. 
'T  is  like  the  changeless  stars  above, 
That  never  from  their  orbits  move. 

XLVI  I 

Fit  pattern  He,  who  came  to  earth, 

From  yon  supernal  home, 
To  save  the  lost  of  mortal  birth, 

That  fitful,  foolish  roam, — 
With  ardor  chasing  bubbles  thin, 
Which  dance  and  lure  to  haunts  of  sin. 

XLVIII 

And  ah,  't  is  oft  the  wandering  child 
Towards  which  the  parent  leans ; 


The  Prodigal  Son.  25 


Although  to  darkest  deeds  beguiled, 

This  ne'er  affection  weans. 
He  sees,  perchance,  a  fairer  side 
At  times  to  reckless  faults  allied. 

XLIX 

Thus  pause  we  o'er  some  statue  old, 

Despite  its  broken  grace, 
Disfigured  long  by  envious  mold, 

On  hand,  on  foot,  on  face, — 
Which,  yet  a  power  of  genius  shows, 
No  common  work  can  e'er  disclose. 


And  so  to  Israel's  bard  of  yore, 

Though  stained  with  dreadful  crime, 

Jehovah  tender  feeling  bore 
For  David's  love  sublime. 

His  judgment  Mercy  soon  effaced, 

As  this  bright  gem  beneath  he  traced. 

LI 

Thus  lenient  he,  in  saddest  mood, 
Whose  son,  long  since  away, 

His  father's  counsel,  sage,  withstood, 
In  distant  lands  to  stray. 

A  void  remained  both  dark  and  chill, 

His  brother  strove  in  vain  to  fill. 


26  The  Prodigal  Son. 

LII 

The  gently  sighing  wind  is  fraught 
With  eastern  odors  rare, 

While  many  a  gift  is  kindly  brought 
To  banish  dull  despair. 

The  father's  spirit  cannot  rise ; 

A  cloud  obscures  the  radiant  skies ! 


LIII 

But  now  the  son,  with  heart  elate, 

His  tears  replaced  by  smiles, 
Sets  forth  for  home,  with  quickened  gait, 

Surmounting  weary  miles. 
As  storm-tossed  birds  to  covert  fly, 
This  hapless  youth  did  thither  hie. 

LIV 

Thus  hasten  those  by  conscience  pressed, 
Who  grace  once  lost  would  win; 

To  seek  again  the  slighted  rest, 
And  life  anew  begin. 

They  eager  tread  the  narrow  way, 

Through  many  a  gloomy,  lengthened  day. 

LV 

'Mid  drear  and  rock-ribbed  wastes  he  toiled, 
And  frightening  dangers  braved, 


The  Prodigal  Son.  27 

His  scanty  garb  was  torn  and  soiled, 

While  food  he  vainly  craved. 
His  feeble  limbs,  his  meager  form, 
Could  scarce  withstand  the  driving  storm. 

LVI 

At  each  advance  his  nerve  had  failed, 

His  strength  had  given  o'er, 
For  fortune's  blasts  had  oft  assailed, 

And  ills  remained  in  store. 
Yet  Fancy  sketched  dear  scenes  beyond  — 
His  soul  could  never  quite  despond. 

LVII 

His  only  bed  the  dismal  ground, 

His  roof  the  vault  above ; 
His  hardships  so  extreme  he  found, 

'Gainst  desperate  thoughts  he  strove. 
But  soon  the  light  of  opening  day, 
Restored  fond  trust  with  blessed  ray. 

LVIII 

The  via  dolorosa  One, 

With  bleeding  footstep  trod, — 
And  he  must  choose  that  path  alone, 

That  seeks  again  his  God ; 
If  recreant  e'er  in  noblest  strife, 
Which  gains  the  font  of  endless  life. 


28  The  Prodigal  Son. 

LIX 

At  last  his  native  haunts  are  seen, 
As  they  were  wont  to  charm; 

Each  well-known  spot  in  memory  green, 
Aloof  from  worldly  harm. 

Kind  welcomes  float  from  bird  and  rill, 

With  echoed  strains  'mid  glade  and  hill. 

LX 

Oh,  most  refreshing,  blissful  sight, 

In  all  this  world  of  ours  — 
A  gleam  of  once  familiar  light, 

From  early  cherished  bowers ; 
When  years  have  passed  since  youth  essayed 
To  leave  the  home  where  childhood  played. 

LXI 

And  nought  delights  the  vision  more, — 
When  long  from  fostering  care 

Of  Christian  nurture,  heavenly  lore, 
In  sin's  remorseless  snare, — 

Than  light  from  that  unshadowed  clime, 

Where  seraph  voices  greetings  chime. 

LXII 

And  now,  as  mourning  ewe  perceives 
The  lost  returned  from  far, 


The  Prodigal  Son.  29 

While  dingle,  brake  and  shadowing  leaves 

Her  sense  can  ne'er  debar, — 
Through  features  changed,  and  plight  forlorn, 
The  father  knows  his  younger  born. 

LXI1I 

And  as  fond  ewe,  without  delay, 

Leaps  forth  her  lamb  to  meet, 
No  longer  will  that  father  stay, 

But  hastes  his  son  to  greet. 
He  clasps  and  kisses  once  again, 
The  child  who  caused  him  anxious  pain. 

LXIV 

Our  condescending  Parent  kind, 

That  light  of  every  home, 
The  contrite  soul  will  always  find, 

Howe'er  it  choose  to  roam. 
A  pardoning  kiss,  a  sweet  embrace, 
Will  yet  the  chiding  past  efface. 

LXV 

The  wanderer  speaks,  he  pleads,  "  Forgive, 

Dear  father,  him  who  kneels, 
A  culprit  base,  unfit  to  live, 

And  who  just  vengeance  feels. 
Thy  servant  make  me,  call  not  son, 
A  disobedient,  faithless  one." 


30  The  Prodigal  Son. 

LXVI 

Observe  how  he  o'erlooks  the  past, 

This  soul  oppressed  relieves, 
What  guerdon  binds  repentance  fast, 

How  dear  its  blest  reprieves ! 
No  menial  office  will  be  given, 
To  one  reclaimed  from  earth  to  heaven. 

LXVII 

He  shall  not  wear  those  rags  debased, 

A  purple  robe  is  brought, 
A  ring  is  on  his  finger  placed, 

Of  finest  gold,  well  wrought. 
His  unprotected  feet  in  shoes 
No  thorns  can  pierce,  no  stones  will  bruise. 

LXVI  II 

The  slave  to  freeman's  state  advanced, 
A  robe  and  ring  could  claim. 

Fit  symbols  these  of  lives  enhanced 
From  servile  walks  of  shame ; 

When  man  by  sin  no  longer  bound, 

Through  faith  released,  in  Christ  is  found. 

LXIX 

The  fatted  calf  must  leave  his  stall, 
To  bleed  for  this  event. 


The  Prodigal  Son.  31 

To  boon  companions  one  and  all, 

A  summons  far  is  sent. 
"  The  dead  now  lives,  the  lost  is  found, 
Oh,  spread  the  glorious  tidings  round." 

LXX 

The  happy  parent  cannot  keep 

Within  his  surcharged  breast, 
A  pleasure  fraught  with  import  deep, 

The  homestead  once  more  blest, — 
But  wide  proclaims,  his  truant  one 
Is  now  again  an  honored  son. 

LXXI 

As  bidden  guests  are  glad  below 

Through  God's  mysterious  ways, 
Most  thrilling  notes  responsive  flow 

Where  rise  celestial  lays ; 
Since  e'en  when  one  repentant  sues, 
Rejoicing  angels  bear  the  news. 

LXXI  I 

The  tabret  sends  a  merry  sound, 

The  harp,  the  viol  too, 
The  gleesome  strains  afar  rebound, 

Where  smiles  each  sylvan  view ; 
The  long  deserted  chambers  ring, 
As  friends  elated  dance  and  sing. 


32  The  Prodigal  Son. 

LXXIII 

And  where  dwells  he  of  cynic  mold, 
Who  chides  such  harmless  mirth  ? 

Does  festal  warmth  a  serpent  cold 
In  envy  wake  from  earth  ? 

No  feast  without  its  specter  grim, 

To  dash  the  bowl  e'er  reached  the  brim. 

LXXIV 

As  night  steals  on,  the  elder  born 
Pursues  his  homeward  way, 

While  mingling  sounds  not  heard  at  morn, 
His  eager  footsteps  stay. 

He  asks  why  orgies  loud  intrude, 

To  mock  the  evening  solitude. 

LXXV 

Surprised  he  learns,  quite  safe  and  sound 

That  brother  long  away, 
Within  his  father's  home  now  found, 

Awakens  scenes  so  gay ;  — 
The  dance,  the  song,  the  shouts  of  glee, 
From  neighbors  glad  his  face  to  see. 

LXXVI 

As  flashes,  'thwart  the  cloudy  sky, 
Precede  a  storm's  descent, 


The  Prodigal  Son.  33 

So  gathering  gleams  within  his  eye 

Show  anger's  fierce  intent. 
He,  unfraternal,  will  not  come 
To  share  his  brother's  joy  at  home. 

LXXVII 

But,  like  our  Lord,  persistent,  kind 

To  those  that  mocked  his  name, 
Who  turned  so  oft  the  wayward  mind 

From  stubborn,  vengeful  frame, 
With  mild  entreaties  seeks  his  sire, 
To  curb  this  restless,  chafing  ire. 

LXXVII  I 

"  For  many  years,"  declares  the  son, 
"  Thee  faithful  I  have  served, 
Of  thy  commandments  broken  none, 

From  duty  never  swerved. 
Yet  e'en  a  kid  has  not  been  slain, 
In  proof  that  I  thy  rule  sustain. 

LXXIX 

"  But  when,  by  many  a  harlot  vile, 

Thy  gains  have  been  devoured, 
Upon  a  spendthrift  thou  dost  smile, 

And  greetings  fond  are  showered. 
Though  naught  is  done  in  my  behalf, 
For  him  is  killed  the  fatted  calf." 


34  The  Prodigal  Son. 

LXXX 

The  sire  would  such  harsh  thoughts  allay, 

And  motives  just  outline : 
"  Son,  near  me  thou  dost  ever  stay, 

And  all  I  have  is  thine. 
But  now  o'erjoyed  we  feast  within, 
Because  a  soul  is  saved  from  sin." 

LXXXI 

'T  would  seem  the  elder's  sharp  complaint 
Was  urged  by  sense  of  right, 

But  different  when  the  facts  we  paint 
Reflecting  gospel  light. 

Broad  truth  disdains  that  narrow  cell, 

Wherein  vain  mortal  judgments  dwell. 

LXXXII 

The  first-born  brother, —  stern  and  cold, 

Emotion  kept  at  bay, 
Imagined  (cast  in  moral  mold) 

His  logic  sure  must  sway, 
Where  one,  to  passion's  spur  a  slave, 
Had  dared  a  parent's  will  to  brave. 

LXXXIII 

He  never  felt  the  power  of  love 
To  render  service  meet ; 


The  Prodigal  Son.  35 

That  found,  the  simplest  act  will  move 

At  gentle  Mercy's  feet. 
Affection's  aid  he  could  not  blend 
With  those  their  broken  lives  would  mend. 

LXXXIV 

The  Scribe,  and  Pharisee  of  old, 

Claimed  pardon  as  a  debt, 
Their  acts  of  merit  loud  were  told, 

'Gainst  each  transgression  set. 
So  sought  the  formal  son  to  place 
The  law  above  God's  boundless  grace. 

LXXXV 

The  father,  like  the  gospel's  Lord, 

While  pleased  with  service  strict, 
To  love  would  pardon  swift  accord, 

Though  justice  might  conflict. 
We  thus  discern  free  grace  is  shown, 
That  comes  from  God's  eternal  throne. 

LXXXVI 

Our  story  treats  of  ways  divine, 

For  all  o'ercome  with  sin, 
It  doth  a  tender  wish  enshrine, 

The  soul  misled  to  win. 
May  matchless  solace  touch  the  deeps, 
Where  unconsoled  repentance  weeps. 


36  The  Prodigal  Son. 

LXXXVII 

Lone  child  of  frailty,  long  hath  strayed 
In  crime's  unhallowed  path  ? 

By  habit  chained,  art  sore  dismayed 
At  black  impending  wrath  ? 

Art  crushed  to  earth,  despised,  forlorn, 

No  heart  to  rise  'mid  social  scorn  ? 

LXXXVII  I 

Dost  weep  for  sin's  reproachful  dye, 

For  highest  trust  misused  ? 
Doth  waked  contrition  heave  a  sigh, 

For  choicest  friend  abused  ? 
Wouldst  yet  repair  that  shattered  life, 
So  oft  depressed  with  thickening  strife  ? 

LXXXIX 

Then  think  of  him  in  woful  form, 

Who  left  pollution's  mire. 
He  saw  a  bow  above  the  storm, 

A  patience  naught  could  tire. 
Repentance  won  a  robe  and  ring, 
Made  happy  neighbors  dance  and  sing. 

xc 

Quick  yield  thy  swineherd's  wretched  lot, 
And  fly  to  sheltering  home, 


The  Prodigal  Son.  37 

Where  absent  ones  are  ne'er  forgot 

By  Him  who  bids  us  come. 
A  ring  of  freedom  waits  thee  there, 
A  spotless  robe  thou  too  canst  wear. 

xci 

The  merry  heart  of  Christian  thine, 

Beneath  an  ample  roof, 
No  need  of  feast,  of  song,  of  wine, 

To  aid  Redemption's  proof, — 
But  o'er  thy  brow  a  halo  bright, 
Will  tell  of  changeless,  pure  delight. 

xcn 

Pray,  never  suffer  evil  eye, 

A  brother's  faults  to  view, 
When  purest  saints,  with  thoughts  on  high, 

Indulgence  humbly  sue. 
Without  the  Christ-atoning  hand, 
The  test  of  justice  none  can  stand. 

XCIII 

Thus  He  who  treasured  Mary's  tears, 

Did  Peter  frail  forgive, 
Will  quiet  all  tumultuous  fears, 

Will  cause  the  soul  to  live, — 
Where  faith  and  charity  combined, 
Rich  fruits  of  hope  shall  ever  find. 


38  The  Prodigal  Son. 

xciv 

And  ah,  corroding  envy  shun, 

When  others  win  the  race. 
If  they  with  footstep  fleet  outrun, 

'T  were  wise  to  mend  the  pace. 
Unfair  to  grudge  the  better  meed, 
That  well  befits  the  better  deed. 

xcv 

And  view  not  with  contracted  look, 
This  life  — the  Church  — the  State, 

Each  seeming  difference  mildly  brook 
On  God  content  to  wait; 

Convinced  that  He  in  future  years 

Will  make  more  plain  what  dark  appears. 

xcvi 

And  ye  who  would  improve  mankind, 
Would  point  the  better  way, 

Recall  that  father's  constant  mind, 
Unwearied  by  delay. 

Let  Love's  inspiring  flame  still  burn, 

Although  a  son  should  not  return  ! 


ALPHA   DELTA   PHI   POEMS. 


ALPHA  DELTA  PHI  POEM. 


DELIVERED   AT   THE   FIFTY-SECOND   CONVENTION, 
MIDDLETOWN,   CONN.,   MAY   28,    1884. 


I  AIR  city,  which  compos'd  and  queen-like  sits 

With  vassal  streamlet  at  thy  side, 
|  Thy  lovely  picturesqueness  well  befits 

These  spirits  choice,  an  academic  tide  — 
Who  lustrous  by  the  gems  of  ancient  thought, 
To  trace  the  beautiful  have  best  been  taught. 


ii 

With  love  of  learning  and  with  open  heart 

Thy  residents  extend  good  cheer 
To  those  for  whom  its  living  fountains  start, 

Who  deem  its  rich  rewards  of  mind  more  dear 
Than  ingots,  which  with  pain  are  brought  from  far 
Or  trophies  crimson'd  with  the  gore  of  war. 
41 


42  Alpha  Delta  Phi  Poems. 

in 

Much  pleas'd,  thy  sons  and  daughters  do  we  greet 

For  all  invoking  halcyon  days ; 
May  life's  embittered  cup  be  rendered  sweet  — 

Its  gloom  dispelPd  by  heavenly  rays. 
If  corn  and  wine  in  other  lands  should  fail, 
May  thy  rich  valleys  ne'er  such  loss  bewail. 

IV 

And  as  the  muse,  which  lives  beyond  the  age 
And  smiles  upon  the  time  to  come, — 

May  growing  worth  thy  lengthen'd  years  engage 
And  ratify  thy  nursing  home 

Of  intellect,  of  prowess  and  of  love, 

Which  from  high  truth  immortal  ne'er  shall  move. 


A  tender  int'rest  in  our  greeting  wakes, 

As  turn  we  to  yon  classic  shrine, 
Enlight'ning  those  for  whose  especial  sakes 

These  friends  congenial  now  entwine, 
And  who  of  fellow-feeling  touched  the  spring 
Which  from  their  daily  cares  old  comrades  bring. 


VI 

John  Wesley,  name  to  every  Christian  dear, 
Such  monument  was  reared  to  thee  — 


Alpha  Delta  Phi  Poems.  43 

Whom,  if  in  world  of  light  we  may  appear, 

Be  sure  we  there  with  palm  shall  see 
Well  known  among  the  beatific  throng 
That  'round  the  throne  pour  forth  the  seraph  song. 

VII 

If  undeserving,  yet  with  pen  aglow 

I  speak  for  loftier  name  than  all ; 
'T  were  well  conceived  that  Wesleyan  bestow 

On  Trinity  within  her  call, 
The  meed  of  clothing  in  poetic  strains 
Those  deathless  sentiments  the  soul  contains. 

VIII 

Dear  sister,  on  the  wing  of  cherished  love 
Accept  our  treasured  memory  kind ; 

We  trust  our  hearts  from  thee  will  never  rove 
Where  leagues  but  few  affections  bind. 

May  health  be  theirs  who  mental  tendrils  train, 

Thy  chapter  worthy  ne'er  receive  a  stain. 

IX 

And  well  it  were  we  pass  not  coldly  by 
The  name  of  Berkley,  prized  so  well, 

And  one  long  known  to  friendship's  hallowed  tie 
Whose  precepts  cannot  fail  to  tell 

When  long  forgotten  is  this  favored  day, 

And  o'er  our  sod  the  sighing  breezes  play. 


44  Alpha  Delta  Phi  Poems. 


Ye  brethren  of  the  Alpha  Delta  near 

Whom  other  institutions  claim  — 
With  unfeigned  greetings  we  your  hearts  would  cheer 

Whate'er  may  be  your  clime  or  name ; 
Accept  a  salutation  fraught  with  power, 
Whose  bloom  defies  the  bustling,  fleeting  hour. 

XI 

The  motive  which  cements  our  cordial  will 
Uprose  from  no  mean,  sordid  bond  — 

Briarean  are  the  welcomes  we  distil 
From  choicest  reminiscence  fond ; 

Our  Banian  tree  has  planted  wide  and  deep 

From  germs  which  were  not  born  in  cloistered  sleep. 

XII 

We  trust  that  all  your  cares  are  left  behind, 
Beguiled  by  sweet  communion's  joy ; 

That  blissful  wakenings  here  you  chance  to  find, 
Sad  retrospect  may  not  destroy ; 

And  when  enshrined  within  the  heart  of  home 

These  scenes  may  linger,  gladdening  years  to  come. 


XIII 

But  greeting  o'er  —  to  choose  some  fitting  theme  — 
A  tribute  meet  where  earnestness  we  find  — 


Alpha  Delta  Phi  Poems.  45 

An  undisputed  duty  plain  must  seem 

Where  thought  is  not  to  duty  blind. 
To  tendencies  material  which  appear, 
In  terms  concise  we  would  invite  your  ear. 


Who  dare  assert  our  land  is  chained  to  sense, 

To  mammon- worship  and  to  vain  expense  — 

In  what  the  wise  esteem  but  toys, 

Proud  reason,  deep-immersed  in  vapid  joys  — 

That  Darwin-like  the  masses  seem  to  think 

The  chattering  ape  must  be  the  missing  link ; 

Or,  Epicurus-like,  the  eternal  soul 

Base  flesh  did  make  and  also  doth  control  ? 

Sure  lofty  spires  invite  to  realms  above, 

And  pastors  speak  the  words  of  heavenly  love  — 

If  ofttimes  fearing  it  were  not  so  well 

To  shock  good  taste  with  that  proscribed  word — spell. 

Religion,  perfumed,  rises  on  the  air, 

While  notes  of  sweet  persuasion  are  not  rare. 

Then  Education  sheds  her  healthful  smile, 

With  well-schooled  measures  seeking  to  beguile 

From  low,  ensnaring  and  ill-timed  pursuits, 

Reducing  to  a  level  with  the  brutes. 

Contrivances  appear  in  every  guise, 

To  lift  the  earth-bound  to  supernal  skies, 

To  tear  asunder  from  the  mental  gaze 

Obstructions  which  conceal  the  truth's  clear  rays ; 


46  Alpha  Delta  Phi  Poems, 

Yet  still  the  carnal  mind  seeks  carnal  things, 
Despite  each  plan  which  moral  effort  brings. 
E'en  as  the  cat  which  once  was  made  a  queen, 
A  mouse  appearing  still  a  cat  did  seem, 
So  those  belonging  to  a  sin-soiled  race 
For  old  enticements  disavow  their  grace; 
Professors  grave  and  mitres,  chair  of  state, 
Become  the  same  as  at  a  prior  date 
Before  transforming  honor  raised  the  wand, 
Enabling  to  assume  the  higher  stand. 
An  earthen  vessel  time  at  length  reveals, 
Although  a  precious  treasure  it  conceals. 


ii 

A  moment  let  us  glance  the  eye  around 

And  trace  such  taint  as  in  the  Church  is  found. 

The  Church  of  Christ  a  spirit  truth  invests 

As  pure  as  snow-flake  which  on  mountain  rests ; 

A  Bride  of  Spouse  Divine  she  is  proclaimed, 

Of  Him  who  in  high  heaven  Chief  is  named ; 

Compared  she  is  to  that  chaste  silvery  light 

Whose  effluence  pure  relieves  the  raven  night ; 

She  is  to  soar  without  polluting  spot 

In  all  the  record  of  her  endless  lot. 

But  as  'mid  Eden  crept  the  wily  foe  — 

Fair  innocence  ensnared  with  cunning  low  — 

So  coils  and  venomed  slime  are  found  within 

That  garden  of  redeemed  ones,  cleansed  from  sin. 


Alpha  Delta  Phi  Poems.  47 

Beyond  the  teachings  of  a  simple  creed 

Corrosive  fashion  and  vain  rite  proceed, 

'Till  Babylonian  is  the  scarlet  hue 

That  grieves  the  sober  and  reflecting  view  — 

Or  else,  compounding  with  the  natural  man, 

The  Faith  relaxes  from  her  ancient  plan, 

And  doctrine  full  of  conservating  power 

Obeys  the  skeptic  triumph  of  the  hour. 

The  preacher's  strength  is  on  the  human  side ; 

Consulting  taste,  he  must  the  Word  divide ; 

Of  vice  in  general  he  may  speak  at  will ; 

Of  vice  particular,  't  were  best  be  still, 

Else  to  his  grief,  and  also  his  dismay, 

He  finds  that  he  has  preached  himself  away. 

Religious  entertainment  men  require, 

And  not  for  truth's  sake  they  their  clergy  hire. 


in 

Then  when  we  view  Society,  that  state 
Presumed  upon  religion  to  await, 
Ordained  for  healthful  purposes  alone  — 
Supposed  most  rational  in  respective  zone  — 
Much  this  is  marred  by  horrid  brazen  crime, 
More  base  than  in  the  untaught  early  time 
(Allowance  made  for  heading  of  the  press 
That  suits  a  morbid  public  —  in  the  dress), 
The  mischief-loving  sisters  of  Macbeth 
May  caldron  stir,  'mid  ceaseless  dance  of  death, 


48  Alpha  Delta  Phi  Poems. 

Combining  in  their  broth,  some  heads  of  banks, 

With  disunited  couples  from  all  ranks. 

Alluding  to  a  goodly,  well-known  state, 

Where  marriage  banns  did  much  on  courts  await, 

A  bishop  once  a  distich  did  invent ; 

As  memory  serves,  't  was  somewhat  thus  it  went : 

"  I  say  *  connect ' —  excuse  the  way  't  is  put  — 

When  soon  the  well-feed  lawyer  says  '  I  cut.'  " 

Of  yore,  a  chief  position  it  is  said 

Was  yielded  to  the  heart  and  to  the  head. 

But  often  now  the  heels  usurp  the  place 

Of  intellect,  the  glory  of  the  race. 

To  speak  the  German  no  one  need  assay ; 

To  dance  it,  were  the  accepted  better  way. 


IV 

Grotesque  the  exhibitions  that  we  see  — 
A  comedy  without  th'  admission  fee. 
Let  's  take  a  peep  at  Folly's  magic  glass 
And  choose  from  modish  figures  as  they  pass. 
Pray  what  is  this  that  trips  along  the  pave, 
With  arms  akimbo  and  with  visage  grave, 
O'er  wrought  in  keeping  one  glass  at  the  eye, 
Resistive  well-bleached  collar  rising  high ; 
With  curtailed  overcoat  and  long-tailed  frock, 
And  pantaloons  so  tense  that  children  mock ; 
And  bell-crowned  beaver  of  such  ample  size 
That  vapory  thoughts  find  space  in  which  to  rise ; 


Alpha  Delta  Phi  Poems.  49 

With  horizontal  cane  at  midway  held 
As  though  each  saucy  poodle  would  be  quelled  — 
That  rashly  questioned  with  a  rival  gaze, 
This  sample  setting  female  hearts  ablaze  ? 
And  what  is  this  with  wriggling,  mincing  pace, 
Its  hair  descending  o'er  the  nobler  face, 
With  bonnet  poised  above  the  giddy  head 
As  though  of  brains  it  had  a  dainty  dread ; 
With  struggling  limbs  in  fettering  silks  encased, 
With  flying  hands  and  lung-destroying  waist, 
Which  seems  a  grasshopper  of  larger  growth  — 
While  to  enlarge  the  mind  alone  seems  loath  ? 
Fantastic  the  conceit  that  thus  would  shine 
Oblivious  of  an  origin  divine ; 
Why,  pray,  the  painted  savage  more  despise, 
When  so-called  Christians  don  such  queer  disguise  ? 
Of  yore  a  pluck'd  fowl  Plato  styled  a  man ; 
Perhaps  such  model  serves  a  present  plan. 
Methinks  less  graceful  is  this  hampered  gait 
Than  that  suggested  by  the  unfeathered  state. 
Oh,  when  will  Nature's  face  in  charms  appear 
Of  paint  and  dye  relieved,  and  uncouth  gear  ? 


Note  next  the  conversation  of  the  day ; — 
How  much  in  its  behalf  have  we  to  say  ? 
It  gravitates  upon  the  upper  air 
With  which  its  thinnest  gases  may  compare ; 


50  Alpha  Delta  Phi  Poems. 

Not  sparkling  like  the  fluid  in  the  glass, 

Or  glistening  dew-drop  crowning  blade  of  grass, 

With  wit  which,  if  not  the  highest,  serves  to  cheer 

And  drive  from  grief's  abode  the  rising  tear ; — 

But  seems  it  as  to  trees,  mere  oozing  gum, 

Or  like  on  buoyant  waters  floating  scum ; 

Unseasoned  by  the  salt  of  healthful  lore, 

The  man  of  thoughtfulness  is  styled  a  bore ; 

Instead  of  themes  that  lift  the  groveling  mind, 

The  senseless  and  the  child-like  do  we  find ; — 

Or  should  the  topic  rise  to  serious  grade, 

It  dwells  on  stocks,  on  market  movements,  trade, 

Or  last  sensation  in  the  journal  read, 

On  those  but  lately  married,  or  the  dead. 

Full  many  knit  the  brow  in  effort  vain 

To  find  out  if  to-morrow  it  will  rain ; 

Or  if 't  is  very  hot  or  very  cold  — 

Whate'er  the  weather  —  you  will  oft  be  told. — 

But  next  —  can  conversation  be  enhanced 

With  thoughts  so  worthless  in  our  books  advanced  ? 

Oft  gravity  is  shocked  with  flimsy  speech 

Because  of  much  that  's  published  in  our  reach. 


Books  to  us  are  faithful  blessings 
O'er  the  chequered  path  of  life ; 

Soothing,  full  of  kind  caressings 
Are  they  'mid  this  toilsome  strife. 


Alpha  Delta  Phi  Poems.  51 


Yet  are  they  as  great  an  evil 
When  perverted  from  their  end ; 

Children  are  they  of  the  devil, 
If  foul  error  they  defend. 

in 
Mental  muscle  fast  increaseth 

When  with  noble  thoughts  that  teem ; 
Mental  muscle  fast  decreaseth 

If  unreal  as  a  dream. 

IV 

Trifling  fiction  much  supplanteth 

Fact,  exalting,  living,  pure; 
And  the  facile  author  granteth 

What  more  purchases  secure. 


Books  that  read  themselves  are  vended, 
Which  the  sluggard  mind  enjoys; 

And  if  crumbs  of  good  be  blended, 
Sweet  and  vapid  treacle  cloys. 

VI 

Bacon,  Locke  and  Aristotle, 
Gibbon,  Hume  and  Rollin,  too, 

Upstart  authors  quickly  throttle  — 
An  ignoble  Waterloo. 


52  Alpha  Delta  Phi  Poems. 

VII 

Light  confections  fail  to  nourish 

When  the  system  strong  meat  craves ; 

So  our  minds  cannot  thus  flourish, 
Sinking  to  dyspeptic  graves. 

VIII 

And  like  books,  so  Art  doth  pander 
To  a  morbid,  vicious  need ; 

From  its  higher  walks  doth  wander, 
Unenlighten'd  tastes  to  feed. 

IX 

Classic  schools  are  oft  derided 
By  the  painters  of  the  day ; 

Sordidly,  it  is  decided, 

Classic  schools  will  never  pay. 


Glittering  and  fantastic  pictures 
Much  the  connoisseur  offend  — 

Whereon  artists  place  no  strictures, 
Since  the  trade  it  doth  befriend. 

XI 

Music  and  the  art  dramatic 
Bend  low  to  the  vulgar  will, 

While  the  critic  —  when  emphatic  — 
Doth  with  rage  impostors  fill. 


Alpha  Delta  Phi  Poems.  53 

XII 

Poesy  of  noble  mission, 

Sent  from  grossness  vile  to  save, 
Tell  me,  pray,  what  thy  condition 

While  sweeps  on  this  vandal  wave  ? 

XIII 

Dost  thou  lift  unsullied  beauty 

Spite  such  devastation  fell; 
Hast  forgot  thy  sacred  duty  — 

Errors'  darkness  to  dispel  ? 

XIV 

Shade  of  Shakespeare  make  thee  stronger 
'Mid  the  slough  of  deep  despond; 

If  thou  struggle  ages  longer  — 
Give  to  him  thy  fealty  fond. 

xv 

Lo,  the  muse,  with  dastard  yielding, 
Stoops  unworthy  crown  to  wear ; 

Ne'er  relenting,  judgment  shielding, 
Seeking  soon  such  wreath  to  tear. 

XVI 

For  the  sake  of  favor  winning, 

And  the  populace  to  please, 
Oft  we  find  the  poet  sinning 

On  the  side  of  pelf  and  ease. 


54  Alpha  Delta  Phi  Poems. 

XVII 

Rhetoric  takes  the  place  of  thinking, 
Luring  with  convenient  haze ; 

Form,  advanced  with  foppish  prinking. 
Doth  bewildered  readers  daze. 


XVIII 

Much  the  crowd  affect  to  like  it, 
Captured  by  a  verbose  show ; 

From  the  page  would  good  sense  strike  it 
For  one  thought  in  lucid  flow. 

XIX 

Note  yon  orb  with  frenzy  rolling, 
While  ascends  poetic  mist ; — 

?Mid  vagarious  numbers  strolling, 
Vainly  seek  you  for  the  gist. 

xx 

Milton  vanish  in  confusion, 

Coleridge,  Wordsworth,  Pope  and  Burns 
Bleeding  from  severe  contusion, 

Rest  —  neglected  in  your  urns. 

XXI 

Turn  we  now  from  art  and  letters 
To  the  needful — judged  by  most; 

Leaving  verdict  for  our  betters  — 
To  the  criticising  host. 


Alpha  Delta  Phi  Poems.  55 

XXII 

Wealth  our  Father  kindly  gave  us, 

In  a  soil  of  rare  resource ; 
Much  His  aid  we  need  to  save  us 

From  a  soul-consuming  course. 

XXIII 

This  a  shining  bubble  dances, 
While  the  wise  and  foolish  chase ; 

This  the  zest  of  life  enhances, 
Spurs  the  slow,  unwilling  pace : 

XXIV 

Argonautic  expeditions 

For  the  golden  fleece  equipped, 
Rousing  men  in  all  positions, 

Eager  rush  they  to  be  shipped. 

XXV 

Much  of  good  the  gold  hath  done  us ; 

Tears  uprising  doth  it  stay ; 
But,  alas,  it  oft  hath  won  us 

To  forsake  the  better  way. 

XXVI 

While  the  noblest  are  empowered 
With  this  tempting  misused  trust 

Many  fraught  with  virtue  cowered, 
Soon  are  conquered  by  its  lust. 


56  Alpha  Delta  Phi  Poems. 

XXVII 

Oft  it  causes  petrifaction 

Where  a  Christian  love  should  guide; 
Oft  foments  a  wild  distraction, 

Whence  unnumber'd  ills  betide. 

XXVIII 

Social  barriers  are  erected, 
Shutting  out  the  worthy  poor, 

Where,  if  merit  were  detected, 
Wide  would  ope  the  bolted  door. 

XXIX 

See  entire  nations  bowing, 

Dancing  round  the  golden  calf, 

With  their  best  the  god  endowing, 
While  complacent  demons  laugh. 

XXX 

Maidens  bright,  refined  and  comely, 
In  appeasement  have  been  sold 

To  the  witless,  cross-grained,  homely, 
With  deep  pockets  full  of  gold. 

XXXI 

Grammar  tortured,  port  ungainly, 
Do  not  lessen  flattery's  guile, 

While  good  speech  and  bearing,  vainly, 
Seek  to  win  approving  smile. 


Alpha  Delta  Phi  Poems.  57 


XXXII 


Little  wonder  —  lured  by  money, 
Men  will  suffer,  toil  and  cheat ; 

E'en  as  flies  transfixed  by  honey 
They  are  held  by  this  deceit. 


As  the  sun  golden 

Rises  at  morning, 

Nature  adorning, 
Sending  his  life-giving  beam  o'er  the  sea, 

Bringing  forth  flowers, 

Fragrant  in  bowers, 

Grain  in  response  whitening,  covering  the  lea, 
Sowing  in  harvestmen  hopeful  delight ; — 

So  with  full  measure 

Those  tried  with  treasure 

Freely  should  give, 

Causing  to  live  — 

Cheering  with  slumbers  kind, 

Dark  brooding  night. 

ii 

Oh,  how  we  grovel 
In  palace  and  hovel, 
Steeping  the  senses 
In  creature  expenses ; 
'Mid  dainties  novel, 


58  Alpha  Delta  Phi  Poems. 

Reaping  such  fruits 
As  gluttonous  brutes ; 
Eating  the  acorn,  nor  looking  above, 
Nurturing  branches,  feeding  in  love. 


in 


From  dust  we  spring, 

Of  dust  we  sing, 

To  dust  we  cling, 
Shrouding  the  beam  of  the  undying  soul; 

Daily  it  pineth, 

Droopeth,  declineth, 
Overwhelmed  by  surgings  that  piteously  roll. 

IV 

An  age  material, 
Worldly,  imperial, 
Scouts  as  ethereal 

Chivalry's  aims; 
Eminent  knowledge 
Fetters  the  college 
Life  genial  dashing, 
As  though  't  were  clashing 

With  serious  claims; 
The  secret  society, 
With  badge  of  variety, 
Reaching  satiety, 
Yields  to  propriety, 


Alpha  Delta  Phi  Poems.  59 

Clouding  the  festal  ray 
'Neath  learning's  dome; 
The  sweets  of  communion, 
The  service  of  union. 
Must  vanish  away 

Through  edicts  to  come. 


Again  —  we  are  so  practical, 
Exact  and  mathematical, 
In  business  so  fanatical, 

That  forsooth 
Some  even  would  ignore 
Or  limit  classic  lore, 
As  bearing  faint  relation 

To  the  truth. 

They  would  leave  Olympic  heights, 
And  extinguish  ancient  lights, 
As  but  rubbish  little  suited 

To  the  need 
Of  a  rising  generation 
Which  must  form  the  future  nation 
That  should  not  any 

Lofty  craving  feed. 

Thus  the  noblest  thoughts  that  spring, 
Which  with  inspiration  ring 
Uneffaced  upon  the  brightest 

Page  of  time, 


60  Alpha  Delta  Phi  Poems. 

Are  crippled  by  the  fashions, 
Nay,  verdict  of  the  passions, 
And  whatever  is  opposed  to 
The  sublime. 

VI 

Now,  brethren,  't  is  your  duty, 

Convened  through  social  tie, 
To  strive  lest  low  ambition 

Our  heritage  belie ; 
To  yield  to  the  material, 

Its  fair,  its  proper  place, 
Resisting  foul  corruption  — 

Its  headlong,  fatal  pace ; 
To  urge  that  coin  be  valued 

Alone  for  what 't  is  worth, 
The  same  as  occupation, 

Environment  of  birth ; 
Not  made  a  god  to  worship  — 

The  lord  of  heaven  and  earth ; 
To  banish  all  imposture 

Where'er  its  trail  be  found, 
While  treading  with  due  caution 

Near  consecrated  ground ; 
To  kindle  love  of  country 

At  shrine  of  love  to  man ; 
So  pure  in  its  devotion 

That  angels  e'en  may  scan ; 


Alpha  Delta  Phi  Poems.  61 

To  strive  that  chiefs  like  Pericles 

Be  found  to  rule  the  State ; 
Or  like  the  censor  Cato, 

Aurelius,  mild  and  great; 
Or  like  the  good  King  Alfred 

Who  raised  the  Saxon  race ; 
Or  Washington,  the  peerless, 

Controlled  by  Christian  grace ; 
To  seek  lest  king-ruled  strangers 

Who  cast  with  us  their  lot  — 
Expose  to  foreign  dangers 

Our  Freedom's  resting  spot ; 
From  brutal  degradation 

To  lift  each  sense-bound  soul ; 
To  aim,  through  education, 

The  passions  to  control. 
As  in  rude  germ  secreted, 

A  plant  may  spring  on  high, 
Unfolding  leaves  of  beauty 

To  greet  the  summer  sky, 
So  most  perverted  manhood 

Conceals  a  plant  divine, 
Which  with  celestial  glory 

Eternally  may  shine; 
As  Buonarotti's  chisel 

An  angel  brought  from  stone, 
So  ye,  to  stainless  being 

May  lift  the  fallen  one. 


62  Alpha  Delta  Phi  Poems. 

VII 

As  lifeboats  in  the  storm 

Are  launched  upon  the  main 
To  cheer  the  sinking  form 

With  radiant  hope  again, 
So  men  of  Christian  thought, 

While  mammon's  billows  roll, 
Your  mission  't  is  to  save 

From  hapless  doom  the  soul. 
As  o'er  the  treacherous  deep 

The  pilot  keeps  his  eye, 
Observe  life's  tempest  track, 

Its  ever-changing  sky. 
With  wistful,  tender  care 

The  pole-star  guides  at  night ; 
So  'mid  each  doubt  and  fear 

Shines  Bethlehem's  watchful  light. 
Then  seize  the  coming  day, 

Its  portents  vast  behold ; 
Whate'er  the  cost  may  prove, 

For  God,  for  Right,— be  bold. 


Alpha  Delta  Phi  Poems.  63 

FLORAL    TRIBUTE   TO   A  A  4>. 


I  SOUGHT  the  fragrant  heliotrope, 
A  gift,  dear  Alpha,  loved,  to  thee; 
•For  when  the  sun  awakens  hope 

His  joyous  beam  she  turns  to  see ; 
From  him  enticement  ne'er  allures, 

Unmoved  by  Art's  or  Nature's  sway, 
Her  patient  constancy  endures 

When  dismal  shades  conceal  the  day. 


Our  pride,  our  joy ;  thy  spell  we  own 

Whate'er  the  charm  that  spreads  its  wiles, 
'Mid  every  scene  in  every  zone, 

From  fond  allegiance  nought  beguiles ; 
A  sun  thou  art  to  lead  us  on 

With  memories  bright  of  genial  mirth, 
To  bid  unseemly  care  begone, 

And  lend  a  glow  to  saddened  earth. 

in 

Oh,  modest  make  us  like  the  hue 

Which  decks  the  plain,  unboastful  flower; 

For  fragrant  worth  we  also  sue, 
A  presence  felt,  a  helpful  power. 


64  Alpha  Delta  Phi  Poems. 

We  trust,  when  leaves  are  scattered  far, 
And  stems  lie  low  before  the  wind, 

The  crescent  proud,  the  radiant  star 
As  loyal  hearts  again  shall  find. 


WORK  FOR  LOVE  AND  DUTY, 


WORK  for  love  and  duty, 
On  thyself  rely, 
Crown  with  truth  and  beauty 

Alpha  Delta  Phi. 
E'en  the  brightest  morning 

Sheds  a  flickering  ray, 

Roseate  hours  adorning, 

Pluck  the  fleeting  day. 

REFRAIN. 
Work  for  love  and  duty, 

On  thyself  rely, 
Crown  with  truth  and  beauty 

Alpha  Delta  Phi. 


Cease  not  star  thy  shining, 
O'er  the  crescent  curve, 

Growing,  ne'er  declining, 
Deathless  hope  preserve. 


Alpha  Delta  Phi  Poems.  65 

Towards  each  Mecca  steering 

Brave  to  reach  the  strand, 
Nought  of  danger  fearing, 

Safe  our  bark  shall  land. 
REFRAIN. — Work  for  love,  etc. 


in 

Ne'er  our  zeal  can  falter 

Cheered  by  noblest  aim, 
While  devotion's  altar 

Glows  with  sacred  flame. 
Every  brother  drooping 

Loath  to  run  the  race 
Humbly,  gently  stooping 

Urge  his  wearied  pace. 
REFRAIN. — Work  for  love,  etc. 


IV 

May  the  vows  uniting 

Pledged  in  days  gone  by, 
Ne'er  a  comrade  slighting, 

Sacred  bind  for  aye ; 
While  a  world  capricious 

Woos  or  turns  aside, 
Let  no  plot  malicious 

Hearts  endeared  divide. 
REFRAIN. — Work  for  love,  etc. 


66  Alpha  Delta  Phi  Poems. 


Through  the  coming  battle, 

Plant  the  standard  high, 
'Mid  the  roar  and  rattle 

Dare  to  do  or  die. 
Sing  the  song  fraternal, 

Boon  companions  toast, 
In  the  march  eternal 

Lead  the  living  host. 
REFRAIN.— Work  for  love,  etc. 


CHRISTMAS   POEMS. 


CHRISTMAS  POEMS. 


CHRISTMAS  MEDITATIONS. 


HILE  I  sit  musing  this  evening, 
Home  scenes  inspiring  a  song, 

Thoughts  of  my  youth  would  I  gather, 
Which  to  these  visions  belong. 


Christmas  is  weaving  its  garlands, 
Sending  its  presents  to  cheer, 

Lines  of  a  brother  I  send  thee 
Hallowed  by  memories  dear. 

Blest  was  the  group  of  our  childhood, 
Watched  with  its  tenderest  care, 

When  sorrow's  cloud  overshadowed 
Always  an  iris  was  there. 
69 


70  Christmas  Poems. 

Bright  were  illusions,  now  broken, 
Precious  the  faces,  now  gone; 

Fresh  were  the  pleasures  inviting 
Never  in  after  years  known. 

Grand  was  the  old-fashioned  yule-log, 
Melting  the  frosts  like  the  sun, 

Or,  like  a  kind  nature  beaming, — 
Welcomes  withholding  from  none. 

Icy  winds  scattered  the  snow-flakes, 
Shook  the  bare  limbs  of  the  trees ; 

Warm  hearts  with  good  cheer  at  Christmas, 
Arctic  winds  never  could  freeze. 

Sympathy  gave  to  the  needy, — 
Those  without  fuel  or  food ; 

Outflowed  a  holiday  bounty, 

Where  it  might  do  the  most  good. 

Oft  I  recall  those  revered  ones, 
Seeking  the  tendrils  to  train, 

Whose  words,  like  manna  from  heaven, 
Never  shall  reach  us  again. 

Vivid  that  group  seems  this  evening, 

Every  bright  face  do  I  see; 
Yet  am  I  mocked  by  my  senses, 

Most  from  their  troubles  are  free. 


Christmas  Poems.  71 

May  the  sweet  glamour,  dear  sister, 

Picturing  days  that  are  past, 
Change  to  reality  fadeless, 

Where  such  bright  visions  will  last. 

Gold  is  much  valued  of  metals, 

Chiefly  because  it  is  rare ; 
Home  do  we  cherish  more  dearly, 

When  fewer  numbers  are  there. 

Hence  do  we  cling  to  each  other, 

Even  as  wave  clings  to  wave, 
'Mid  the  long  lost  and  forgotten, 

Each  cherished  link  would  we  save. 


CHRISTMAS  CAROL. 

HARK  !  those  strains,  so  sweetly  falling, 
On  that  festal  morn ! 
To  our  hearts  are  they  recalling, 

Christ,  our  King,  was<born. 
He  has  come  to  give  a  blessing 

To  the  poor,  the  sad ; 
He  has  come  with  kind  caressing 
Making  children  glad. 

CHORUS. 
Hark !  those  strains  so  sweetly  falling, 

On  that  festal  morn ! 
To  our  hearts  are  they  recalling, 

Christ,  our  King,  was  born. 


72  Christmas  Poems. 

Hie  we  to  the  lowly  manger, 

At  the  village  inn  ; 
Let  us  greet  the  wondrous  stranger 

Saving  all  from  sin ; 
Let  us  bring  a  royal  treasure, 

Like  the  wise  of  old ; 
Love  sincere  and  without  measure, 

Better  far  than  gold. 
CHORUS. —  Hark,  etc. 

What  though  wintry  winds  are  blowing 

Leaves  from  off  the  tree ; 
And  no  more  the  flocks  are  lowing, 

On  the  upland  lea ; 
Christ  each  little  lamb  is  tending, 

Folding  it  with  care ; 
From  the  storms  of  life  defending, 

From  its  chilling  air. 
CHORUS. —  Hark,  etc. 

May  those  angels,  at  the  dawning, 

Singing  in  the  sky, 
Ever  with  a  kindly  warning 

Bid  the  tempter  fly. 
When  no  more  on  earth  is  given 

Joy  like  this  to-day, 
May  such  messengers  of  Heaven 

Bear  our  souls  away. 
CHORUS. —  Hark,  etc. 


Christmas  Poems.  73 


A  CHRISTMAS  CAROL. 

WITHIN  a  stable  cold  and  drear, 
The  Lord  of  life  is  born  ; 
While  lowly  shepherds  watching  near 

Salute  the  Christmas  morn ; 
A  light  is  shed  to  cheer  the  gloom, 

'T  is  not  the  sunbeam's  ray ; 
It  shines  to  banish  Sin's  dark  doom, 
As  angels  wake  the  day. 

CHORUS. 
Prolong,  ye  bells,  the  strain  divine, 

Ye  choirs,  choice  anthems  sound ; 
The  fir  tree  bring,  the  laurel,  pine  — 

For  Peace  on  earth  is  found. 

O  mother,  watching  o'er  thy  child, 

Enrolled  among  Christ's  poor, 
Thy  burden  cast  on  Jesus  mild, 

And  He  will  bless  thy  store  ; 
A  Christ  descends  to  free  mankind, 

From  each  enslaving  fear, 
The  careworn,  needy,  lost  to  find, 

And  stay  the  falling  tear. 
CHORUS. —  Prolong,  etc. 


74  Christmas  Poems. 

Oh,  boast  not  thou  of  gold  and  gems, 

Beyond  thy  fellows  placed ; 
When  He,  supreme  in  loftiest  realms, 

So  mean  a  lot  embraced ; 
The  manger  mocks  vain  mortal  pride, 

Of  station,  wealth  or  birth, — 
Exalts  a  Saviour  crucified 

Above  the  thrones  of  earth. 
CHORUS. —  Prolong,  etc. 

And  ye  engrossed  with  self  alone 

Of  graceless  frozen  heart, 
For  past  remissness  quick  atone, 

And  of  thy  means  impart ; 
"  To  live  for  others,"  glorious  thought, 

The  best  by  Bethlehem  given, 
In  every  Christian  soul  't  is  wrought, 

It  rules  the  Courts  of  Heaven. 
CHORUS. —  Prolong,  etc. 


TO  A  FRIEND 
BORN  ON  CHRISTMAS  DAY. 

THE  brightest  day  on  earth 
Was  that  which  gave  thee  birth. 
Emmanuel  was  born 
Upon  thy  natal  morn ; 


Christmas  Poems.  75 

Divine  incarnate  love 
Descended  from  above. 
With  many  thou  art  given 
This  richest  boon  of  Heaven. 
May  joys  with  thee  abide 
Secured  through  Christmastide, 
And  grief  stay  but  awhile 
Dispersed  by  Jesus'  smile. 


ON  VIEWING  A  PICTURE  ENTITLED 
"  THE  EMPTY  STOCKING." 

"T^  IS  Christmas  eve,  with  whistling  wind 

-L        And  drifting  snow  and  frozen  stream, 
While  fancies  weird  excite  the  mind, 
And  fireside  joys  more  pleasant  seem. 

In  yonder  cot  no  contrast  glows, 
To  chase  the  gloom  of  Wintertide  • 

No  larder's  store,  nor  ember  shows, 
The  picture  smiles  with  winsome  side. 

A  widow  sits  absorbed  in  grief, 
With  Elsie  nigh,  a  loving  child ; 

In  vain  she  looks  for  some  relief, 

As  storm-fiends  shriek  'mid  orgies  wild. 


76  Christmas  Poems. 

With  tone  assuring,  Elsie's  voice 

Suggests  the  coming  Christmas  mom ; 

Like  all  beside,  would  she  rejoice 

To  hail  the  day  when  Christ  was  born. 

"  Mama,"  she  says,  with  fondest  look, 

"  My  stocking  must  I  hang  this  eve 
In  which  I  know  some  toy  or  book 
Good  Santa  Claus  will  surely  leave." 

The  mother  gives  a  glance  of  pain, 
As  childish  hopes  are  lifted  high ; 

Without  one  wish  to  prove  them  vain 
She  says,  while  'scapes  a  mournful  sigh, 

"  Your  stocking  do  not  hang  to-night, 

Perchance  you  may  not  find  it  filled ; " 
She  mused  on  their  impoverished  plight, 
With  threadbare  clothing,  hungry,  chilled. 

"  O  yes,  I  must,  I  've  prayed  to-day, 

Mama,  you  should  no  longer  weep, 
That  Santa  Claus  would  wipe  away 
Your  tears  by  gifts  while  fast  asleep." 

"  God  bless  you  for  that  prayer,  my  dear," 
The  widow  says, —  "  I  '11  ne'er  repine, 
But  trust  His  word,  nor  longer  fear, 

Though  Christmas  gifts  should  not  be  mine." 


Christmas  Poems.  77 

A  spacious  mansion  full  of  light, 

Defies  the  raging  storm  without ; 
Profusely  spread,  exposed  to  sight, 

Are  Christmas  favors  strewn  about ; 

French  dolls  attired  in  silk  and  lace, 

That  roll  their  eyes  and  even  talk, 
And  dolls  that  move  from  place  to  place, 

By  strange  contrivance  made  to  walk. 

Choice  albums  bound  in  gold  and  calf, 
And  Huyler's  latest  bonbons  rare, 

And  monkeys  stuffed  that  make  you  laugh, 
With  greater  beasts  that  make  you  stare. 

Amid  the  group  of  various  sort 

Are  puzzles,  games,  and  dancing-jacks ; 

Fierce  soldiers  that  have  never  fought, 
And  riders  swarth  on  camels'  backs. 

But  time  would  fail  to  mention  all 
Arrayed  to  cheer  the  boys  and  girls, 

From  humming-top  and  bat  and  ball 
To  mincing  maids  with  bangs  and  curls. 

A  little  one  with  soulful  eyes, 

While  nestled  in  her  downy  bed, 
With  earnest  words  her  mother  plies, 

Disclosing  plans  of  heart  and  head. 


78  Christmas  Poems. 

She  oft,  it  seems,  across  the  street, 
The  widow  saw  with  daughter  fair, 

Whom  always  she  would  kindly  greet, 
Though  driven  with  a  coach  and  pair. 

Says  she,  "  Mama,  I  hope  and  pray 
That  Santa  Glaus  will  surely  bring 

Dear  Elsie  Brown,  on  Christmas  day, 
Some  useful  and  some  pretty  thing. 

"  The  mother  seems  so  very  poor, 

And  works  so  hard  though  wan  and  pale 
Just  leave  a  present  at  the  door, 

Lest  Santa  Glaus  should  chance  to  fail." 

The  parent  views  with  tender  look 
Her  child  so  pure,  so  full  of  love ; 

Reverting  then  to  toy  or  book, 
Sure  Elsie's  prayer  is  heard  above. 


Bright  Christmas  comes  with  cloudless  sky, 
The  earth  is  clad  in  bridal  white ; 

While  "  Glory  be  to  God  on  high," 

Might  well  resound  from  height  to  height. 

To  seek  her  stocking  Elsie  goes, 
But  finds  it  empty  as  when  hung, 

Her  heart  with  sorrow  overflows, 
By  deepest  disappointment  wrung. 


Christmas  Poems.  79 

But  lo,  the  cottage  door  she  opes, 

And  silken  hose  salute  her  eyes ; 
The  contents  seen  awake  new  hopes, 

As  charmed  she  stands  in  mute  surprise. 

A  handsome  purse  with  silver  gleams, 
And  dolls,  with  toys  and  sweets  appear; 

A  book,  with  bright-hued  pictures  beams, 
And  tales  to  suit  the  coming  year. 

An  order  in  her  mother's  name, 

She  then  perceives, —  to  fill  the  hours 

With  work,  for  food  and  friendly  flame, 
When  cold  the  blasts  and  dead  the  flowers. 

Each  empty  stocking  God  doth  fill, 

If  we  His  faithful  children  prove ; 
It  only  rests  to  do  His  will, 

To  wait  His  time, —  to  look  above. 


TO  A  BEREAVED  FRIEND. 

HATH  Christmas  no  bright  wreaths  for  thee  ? 
Such  woe  is  thine  ? 
Why  wilt  thou  with  the  cypress  gloom 

Each  thought  entwine  ? 
Not  tears,  but  smiles  become  these  days, 

Blithesome  through  Love. 
The  heart  should  echo  songs  of  praise, 


8o  Christmas  Poems. 

Swelling  above. 
Let  Grief  depart  to  Night's  abode, 

With  sable  pall, 
Since,  in  the  East  that  Star  arose 

Beaming  for  all. 
The  Lord,  who  with  resistless  word, 

Brought  life  at  Nain, 
Would  rend  the  shroud  that  wraps  thy  soul, 

Raise  joy  again. 
The  blended  notes  that  filled  the  sky, 

By  angels  given, 
Proclaim  —  the  dead  in  Christ  are  one  — 

Household  in  Heaven. 
The  rarest  flowers  will  often  bloom, 

'Mid  damp  and  shade, 
From  present  sorrow  blessings  may 

Thy  life  pervade. 
Oh,  let  the  light  of  Christmastide, 

And  the  New  Year, 
Reveal  the  kindness  hid  beneath, 

Where  frowns  appear. 


ADIRONDACK   POEMS 


ADIRONDACK   POEMS. 

* 

ST.  HUBERTS  ISLE. 

NUMBER    ONE. 

•ID  Adirondack  beauty,  Racquette  Lake  appears, 
The  fairest  called,  by  some,  of  all  the  liquid  chain ; 
Its  striking  promontories,  and  its  mountain  views, 
Its  various  windings,  the  surprises  of  its  shores, 
The  smoothness,  clearness  of  its  water,  when  the  winds 
Allayed,  refuse  awhile  to  vex  the  elements, — 
A  picturesqueness  give  to  fill  a  poet's  dream. 
On  Racquette  is  an  island  scarce  two  acres  broad, 
The  name  is  from  St.  Hubert,  patron  of  the  chase, 
And  well  is  it  bestowed  where  choicest  game  abounds. 
A  church  within  its  wood  both  grace  and  nature  blend, 
Near  which  are  found  the  hemlock,  pine,  the  spruce,  and 

fern. 

St.  Hubert's  jagged  front,  rude  paths  and  rustic  bridge, 
Its  scattered  branches,  rocks  part  clad  in  hoary  moss, 

83 


84  Adirondack  Poems. 

The  squirrel,  reckless,  freely  bounding  at  its  will, 
The  bird  that  fearless  builds  her  nest,  and  pours  her  lay,- 
Declare  a  spot  remote,  unfettered  by  the  bands, 
Enforcing  mockeries  —  the  bane  of  civil  life. 
This  isle  is  fitly  consecrated  to  its  God. 
This  tenderloin  of  woodland  doth  Religion  claim. 
An  altar  has  it  framed,  and  rest  for  him  who  serves. 
Protected  is  the  shrine  like  that  by  Moses  built ; 
Yet  touch  profane  no  dreadful  statute  here  prevents, 
But  Reverence  —  assured  through  local  metes  and  bounds. 
Upon  that  holy  day  which  sanctifies  the  seven, 
If  cloudless  and  serene  the  surface  of  the  lake, 
Like  pinions  moving,  oars  are  plied  the  church  to  reach ; 
No  vehicle  with  clatter  shocks  the  air  composed, 
But,  as  by  silent  wing  of  angels,  souls  are  borne 
To  where  a  common  sentiment  invites  to  kneel. 
Within  a  leaf-girt  harbor  are  the  boats  made  fast, 
Or,  at  a  nearer  landing  lifted  on  a  rock. 
When  ends  the  tolling  of  the  bell  that  sweet  resounds, 
The  voice  of  supplication  and  of  praise  is  heard. 
The  preacher  then,  like  John  within  the  wilderness, 
The  truth  proclaims,  inspired  by  unseen  presence  felt. 
When  all  have  paid  their  homage  to  the  forest's  Lord, 
On  Him  their  burthens  casting  'mid  primeval  works, — 
The  feeble  and  the  strong,  the  hunter  and  the  guide 
To  camp  in  view,  or  nestling  down  some  bay,  depart. 
Then  o'er  the  sacred  island  stillness  reigns  again, 
Save  where  the  sparrow  chirrups  or  bee  hums  'mid  the 
flowers. 


Adirondack  Poems.  85 

ST.   HUBERTS  ISLE. 

NUMBER    TWO. 

ON  Racquette  Lake,  St.  Hubert's  Island 
Arrests  the  eye  —  a  lovely  highland, 
A  noted  feature  in  the  skyland. 
A  church,  with  rectory  is  seen, 
Inclosed  by  flower  and  evergreen, 
A  guide  to  point  the  wandering  mind, 
The  regions  of  the  soul  to  find. 

The  wave  is  oft  with  splendors  glowing, 
The  majesty  of  sunset  showing, 
A  richness  o'er  the  landscape  throwing. 
The  squirrel  boldly  climbs  the  tree, 
The  bird  and  butterfly  soar  free, 
Protected  near  devotion's  seat, — 
From  harmful  snare, —  a  sure  retreat. 

Like  doves  unto  their  windows  flying, 

Note  worshipers  in  boats  outlying, 

Who,  toward  the  House  of  God  are  hieing. 

The  man  of  leisure  and  of  wealth, 

The  invalid  in  search  of  health ; 

The  huntsmen  who  'mid  deerland  roam, 

Now  seek  this  consecrated  Home. 


86  Adirondack  Poems. 

The  day  is  fading  on  the  island, 
The  worshipers  have  left  the  highland, 
Far  down  the  lake  or  on  the  nighland. 
Now  vanished  is  the  glare  of  day, 
The  moon  asserts  her  gentle  sway; 
And  seems  with  loving  smile  to  bless, 
This  shrine  within  the  wilderness. 


SONG   OF   THE    OPEN  CAMP. 

NUMBER    ONE. 

''T"v  IS  pleasant,  after  a  weary  tramp, 

JL    To  meet  at  night  in  the  open  camp, 
To  feel  the  glow  of  the  genial  blaze, 
That  conquers  gloom  by  its  welcome  rays. 
We  hear  of  many  a  trophy  won, 
By  flood  and  field  with  the  rod  and  gun ; 
The  welkin  rings  with  the  song  and  jest, 
Till  sleep  steals  on  and  enforces  rest. 

The  tie  of  friendship  is  always  dear, 
Let  those  it  blesses  be  far  or  near, 
A  gem  on  shore  or  a  pearl  at  sea, 
A  prize  of  age  or  of  youthful  glee, — 
It  gives  content  when  all  else  hath  flown, 
Their  names  it  hallows  when  friends  have  gone. 
Not  more  on  earth  doth  its  charm  inspire 
Than  when  invoked  by  the  camp  and  fire. 


Adirondack  Poems.  87 

But  few  enjoyments  we  mortals  know 
With  strange  mosaic  of  weal  and  woe ; 
The  blame  for  which  may  be  ours  or  not 
As  each  has  used  or  abused  his  lot. 
But  zest  is  found  that  we  ne'er  forget  — 
A  beam  of  hope  ere  the  sun  has  set, — 
It  cheers  by  lake  and  by  mountain  spire, 
In  open  camp  with  its  social  fire. 

SONG  OF  THE  OPEN  CAMP. 

NUMBER   TWO. 

CT  jocund  mirth  beguile  with  song, 
The  camp-fire  burns  to-night ; 
To  us  the  sources  true  belong, 
Whence  flows  a  pure  delight. 
That  summer's  dream  will  soon  be  o'er 

Is  traced  on  flower  and  leaf, 
Use  well  the  moments  yet  in  store 
Of  earth's  enjoyments  brief. 

Let  Fancy  weave  to-morrow's  sport, 

Of  deer  hunt,  rod  and  reel, 
Of  base-ball  and  the  tennis-court, 

Where  wildwood  odors  steal ; 
But  slighting  not  the  guide  boat's  course, 

Through  inlet,  lake,  and  creek, 
To  where  the  rapids'  noise  and  force, 

Dispute  the  point  we  seek. 


88  Adirondack  Poems. 

Yet  Wisdom's  voice  with  loud  demand, 

Uncertain  schemes  would  crush, 
It  much  prefers  the  "  bird  in  hand, 

To  two  within  the  bush." 
So  ere  the  day,  may  each  his  part 

Perform  in  blithesome  mood, 
Reproving  every  churlish  heart, 

That  scorns  a  present  good. 


SONG  OF  THE  OPEN  CAMP. 

NUMBER    THREE. 

UP  the  mountain, 
Towards  the  fountain, 
Jubilant  notes  prolong; 
Earth  rejoices, 
Distant  voices 
Echoing  our  camp-fire  song. 

Merry  we  carol  to  Hesperus  far, 
Drink  to  the  moon  from  our  cold-water  bar 
Fragrance  of  woodland  alluring  to  stay, 
Rivulet  music  inspiring  our  lay ; 

CHORUS. — Up  the  mountain,  etc. 

Proud  emotion 
Like  the  ocean, 
Swelling  and  surging  on, 


Adirondack  Poems.  89 

Seems  revealing 
Nature's  healing  — 
Life  — 'mid  our  pleasures  won. 

Free  are  our  spirits  from  burthens  released, 
Freely  we  breathe  —  every  muscle  increased, 
Fashion's  restraints  in  these  wilds  are  ne'er  found, 
Warbling  of  birds  shuts  out  traffic's  dull  sound. 

CHORUS. 
'Mid  the  ringing 
Of  the  singing 

Guides  draw  near  fire,  to  sate ; 
Flames  are  rising, 
Night  surprising, — 
Love  —  thus  o'ermasters  hate. 

Often  we  think  of  some  others  at  home, 
Fondly  devising  that  hither  they  come. 
Here  at  the  open  camp  joining  in  sports, 
Princes  might  covet  as  pastime  for  courts. 

CHORUS. 

THE  BEAR  IN  THE  ADIRONDACKS. 

THE  first  bear  I  ever  met  in  the  Adirondacks, 
Had  such  a  paw 
And  such  a  jaw, 
As  did  my  courage  sorely  tax. 


90  Adirondack  Poems. 

One  day  direct  to  Golden  Beach 
We  rowed,  and,  when  about  to  reach 

The  strand, 

A  figure  dark, 

Upon  a  lark, 

At  frightened  chickens  rudely  stared, 
While,  ogre-like,  his  eye-balls  glared. 

A  lady  in  the  boat  who  sat, 

Quite  anxious,  queried,  "  What  is  that  ? 

A  dog  ? " — 
"  The  critter  there  ? 

An  old  black  bear,"  — 
The  guide  said,  resting  on  his  oar; 
Her  pulse  leaped  higher  than  before. 

To  youth,  upon  the  land  espied, 
."  A  bear,  a  bear,"  the  lady  cried, 
"  Run,  run." 
Some  Hectors  flew, 
And  shouted  too ; 
While  panting  for  a  gory  fray, 
They  sought  their  arms  without  delay. 

The  uproar  caused  the  bear  to  go, 
But  only  with  a  movement  slow 
And  calm; 
When  out  of  sight 
The  squad  showed  fight, 


Adirondack  Poems.  91 

And  made  a  Balaklava  charge, — 
But  not  too  near  the  brute  at  large. 


When  speedily  they  all  had  fired, 
Judiciously  they  all  retired 

Unhurt. 

They  shot,  pray  where  ? 

Oh !  in  the  air ; 

These  heroes  wise,  who  came  away, 
Prepared  to  fight  another  day. 

Advancing  from  his  sure  retreat, 
The  monster  yet  may  chickens  eat  — 
And  men. 
O  lucky  bear 
That  was  n't  there ! 
Fair  maidens  o'er  the  warriors  raved, 
Who  Bruin  and  themselves  had  saved. 


MISCELLANEOUS. 


MISCELLANEOUS. 

* 

ON  THE  DEATH  OF  LONGFELLOW. 

E VOTED  watchers  of  the  sky 

Upon  a  starry  night, 
Amid  the  orbs  suspended  high 

Exalt  some  favorite  light, 
Which,  far  beyond  its  fellows  seems 
Like  Kohinoor,  with  peerless  gleams. 

But  should  they  on  some  evening  find 
That  friend  cannot  be  traced, — 

An  unseen  hand  where  once  it  shined, 
Its  glories  had  erased, — 

No  stellar  beauty  on  its  throne, 

Could  ever  for  this  loss  atone. 

95 


96  Miscellaneous. 

Amid  the  gifted  few  of  song 
Whose  treasures  cheer  our  way, 

A  bard  whom  we  have  cherished  long, 
Has  calmly  passed  away. 

No  other  genius  owns  his  skill, 

To  charm  the  fancy,  mold  the  will. 


While  wide  the  galaxy  is  fraught 
With  those  of  radiant  power, — 

Who  in  the  firmament  of  thought 
Will  far  survive  the  hour, 

Amid  the  depth  of  present  woe 

Their  numbers  seem  in  vain  to  flow. 


We  mourn  thee  as  the  poet  dear 
Who  touched  the  simplest  soul ; 

We  mourn  thee  as  one  very  near 
With  purity  thy  goal. 

The  music  of  the  "  Psalm  of  Life," 

Renews  each  laggard  in  the  strife. 

Unnoticed  Nature  blooms  beneath 

The  magic  of  thy  wand, 
The  tree,  the  flower,  the  shrub,  the  leaf, 

More  beauteous  deck  the  land. 
Through  thee,  the  very  dullest  sod 
Seems  fashioned  by  the  hand  of  God. 


Miscellaneous.  97 

The  smith,  the  gleaner  from  the  soil 

A  common  share  may  claim, 
In  thee,  since  thou  to  sacred  toil 

Dost  give  its  place  and  name, 
Dost  weave  in  verse  a  coronet 
Upon  its  honest  brow  to  set. 


A  field  neglected  thou  hast  tilled, 
And  broadcast  scattered  grain  ; 

We  know  from  many  a  garner  filled, 
Thou  hast  not  sown  in  vain ; 

In  distant  countries  fruits  appear, 

From  seed  which  thou  hast  planted  here. 

At  Pisa,  in  the  spacious  fane, 

The  chord  awaked  below, 
Arising,  sounds  in  softer  strain, 

Till  lost  in  echoes  low ; — 
So  thy  sweet  thoughts  will  mount  from  time, 
And  mingle  in  the  dome  sublime. 

A  man  in  will,  in  faith  a  child, 
The  children  loved  thee  well; — 

Allured  by  tones  and  bearing  mild, 
They  sought  thy  gentle  spell ; 

Their  innocence  thy  goodness  saw, 

By  instinct's  ne'er  misleading  law. 


98  Miscellaneous. 

The  home  of  Washington  was  thine, 
Whose  valor  won  our  State ; 

The  Muse  and  Liberty  combine 
To  stem  tyrannic  hate. 

A  pilgrimage  to  such  abode 

Is  prompted  by  a  double  goad. 

His  epic  Homer  gave  to  Greece, 
And  Virgil  sang  for  Rome, 

And  Shakespeare's  strain  will  never  cease 
To  live  in  time  to  come ; 

But  Longfellow  will  always  be 

The  pride  and  glory  of  the  free. 


RENEWAL  OF  WORK  ON  THE  PEDESTAL. 


WHAT  means  yon  stone  ? 
'T  is  promise  vain  of  sculpture  not  completed. 

Alas,  how  lone ! 
No  workmen  seen ;  must  Pride  then  be  entreated  ? 

ii 

T  is  well  thus  far; 
But  wherefore,  pray,  the  pile  no  more  advances  ? 

What  fickle  star 
To  stupid  sloth  and  base  neglect  entrances  ? 


Miscellaneous.  99 

m 

Hath  fled  the  charm, 
In  Freedom's  name,  whereon  our  Hope  was  founded 

To  wrest  this  harm  ? 
Historic  wraiths  see  stalk  abroad  confounded ! 

IV 

Great  Lafayette 
And  Rochambeau  —  the  brave  De  Grasse —  'mid  others — 

In  mute  regret, 
Would  fan  the  flame  this  cold  indifference  smothers. 


Alas !  how  droops 
The  eagle's  wing,  beyond  his  eyrie  soaring ! 

What  dying  swoops ! — 
Niagara's  flood,  meanwhile,  a  protest  roaring. 

VI 

Renew  the  task  — 
A  signal  meet  for  every  struggling  nation  — 

Nor  let  them  ask 
If  yet  we  bear  to  Freedom's  cause  relation. 

VII 

When  faint  the  sense 
That  limned  the  Stars  and  Stripes  our  flag  enfolding, 

'T  will  glow  intense  — 
The  gift  of  France,  in  beauteous  grace  beholding. 


ioo  Miscellaneous. 

VIII 

Those  hither  bound 
Will  read  a  truth  while  here  perchance  they  tarry ; 

When  home  is  found, 
The  noble  truth  to  other  lands  they  '11  carry. 

IX 

Let  each  in  love 
Some  tribute  give, —  a  patriot's  willing  token, — 

Faint  hearts  to  move, 
That  far  and  wide  the  oppressor's  chain  be  broken. 

A  HYPERCRITICAL  WORLD. 

PARAPHRASED  FROM  THE  AFGHAN. 

STRIVE  as  you  may  to  gain  the  good  opinion 
Of  man,  so  hard  to  please ; 
And  soon  you  '11  find,  from  king  to  lowest  minion, 

On  trifles  most  will  seize, 
By  which  to  torture  with  malign  inventions  — 

To  make  your  right  seem  wrong  — 
When  naught  but  e'en  the  very  best  intentions 
To  every  act  belong. 

Let  youth,  within  the  snares  of  dissipation, 

Resolve  the  better  way, 
Constrained  will  be  pronounced  its  reformation, 

Postponed  till  latest  day. 


Miscellaneous.  i  o  i 

A  purpose  grave,  a  manly  resolution, 

Says  Rumor,  shares  no  part, 
In  what  appears  a  moral  revolution 

Affecting  mind  and  heart. 

If  thou  wouldst  silent  sit  instead  of  prating, 

Whatever  be  the  cause ; 
Some  reason  false,  ingenious  slander  stating, 

Vaunts  zeal  for  social  laws. 

The  spirit  of  the  coward  is  imputed, 

If  thou  dost  weigh  thy  speech ; 
"  'T  is  plain,"  it  says,  "  and  ne'er  can  be  refuted, 
The  rogue  would  overreach." 

Or,  if  thou  art  inclined  to  conversation, 

Of  sentiment  or  wit, 
Some  self-styled  critic  of  thy  generation 

In  judgment  harsh  will  sit ; — 

Will  say  in  undertone,  with  shrugs  and  winking, 
"  No  substance  here  is  found, 
This  fluent  phrase  contains  but  little  thinking, 
'T  is  all  unmeaning  sound." 

If  seclusion  thou  prefer, 

To  the  clamor  and  the  stir, 
Of  an  uncongenial  crowd, — 

Men  will  call  thee  cold  and  proud. 


IO2  Miscellaneous. 

If  thou  mingle  with  thy  kind, 
To  relieve  of  care  the  mind, 

Some  will  say,  "  Yon  lazy  lout 
Is  a  worthless  gad-about." 

If  a  fortune  one  should  gain, 
After  years  of  toil  and  pain; 

And  he  spend  it  on  himself, — 
Men  will  say,  "  The  stingy  elf." 

If  one  freely  scatter  gold, 
And  his  charities  be  told, 

'T  will  be  said,  while  some  applaud, 
"  He  secured  his  means  by  fraud." 

E'en  the  poor  and  honest  man, 
Scorning  every  unfair  plan, 

Will  be  sneered  at  as  a  fool, 
Who  observes  the  golden  rule. 

If  one  seem  quite  neat  and  nice, 

In  the  latest  mode  precise ; 
"  A  Miss  Nancy,"  men  will  say, 

"  Who  in  prinking  spends  the  day." 

Or,  if  one  be  plain  in  dress, 
Not  on  fashion  laying  stress, 

A  coarse  sloven  he'll  be  dubbed, 

And  by  snobs  perchance  be  snubbed. 


Miscellaneous.  1 03 

But  let  a  carping  world  censorious  prove, 

Should  this,  from  what  our  conscience  bids  us  move  ? 
Not  they  to  greatness  soar  who  heed  such  scorn, 

From  fools  ejected  and  of  envy  born. 
The  Roman  warrior,  the  Grecian  sage, 

The  saintly  few  whose  lives  redeemed  their  age, 
'Mid  floods  of  censure,  vile  as  undeserved, 

A  bearing  brave,  persistent  have  preserved. 
Then  let  the  crowd  misjudge  thee  as  it  will, 

With  sense  of  right,  be  firm,  press  onward  still, 
And  as  the  eagle  soars  beyond  the  cloud, 

Looks  down  unmoved  above  the  lessening  crowd, 
Far  o'er  the  dwindling  critics  thou  wilt  sail, 

And  smile  at  those  whose  schemes  can  naught  avail. 


INDIVIDUALITY. 

NO  two  alike  on  earth  are  made, 
All  differ,  if  by  faintest  shade; 
Distinction  marks  created  things, 
From  beast  that  prowls,  to  bird  that  sings ; 
The  fish  that  swarm  within  the  sea, 
The  insect  tribe,  from  mite  to  bee, 
Have  diverse  features  deep  inlaid. 

Why  thus  should  oneness  be  impressed, 
On  objects  in  resemblance  dressed, 
Except  variety  of  sounds 
In  Nature's  harmony  abounds ; 


104  Miscellaneous. 

That  self  alone  should  be  preserved, 

Originality  conserved, 

Whereby  we  speak  and  act  the  best  ? 

Some  often  will  a  model  take, 
From  chance  acquaintances  they  make; 
From  cynosures  who  cause  a  stir, 
Through  gifts  conferred  on  him  or  her  ;- 
They  think,  e'en  in  their  faults  attired, 
That  they  will  be  as  much  admired, 
As  those  praised  for  their  virtue's  sake. 

The  protean  man  is  now  alone, 
Next,  normal  self  has  quickly  flown ; 
Behold  him  stately  and  erect, 
Then  see  him  smile  and  genuflect ; 
To-day  he  seems  quite  rational, 
To-morrow,  international, 
With  lisps  and  shrugs  and  foreign  tone. 

To-day  he  is  aesthetical, 

But  this  is  hypothetical, 

For,  'mid  the  changes  found  in  life, 

The  cockney  slang  may  soon  be  rife  ; 

His  mother  tongue  receives  a  blow 

By  "  thanks  awfully,"  and  "  you  know," 

More  vulgar  than  poetical. 

Alas,  when  wisdom  stamps  the  age, 
Doth  imitation  thus  engage ; 


Miscellaneous.  105 

The  classic  Romans  aped  the  Greeks, 
Disturbing  Cato  by  their  freaks ; 
The  token  we  can  scarcely  find, 
That  tells  the  independent  mind  — 
'Mid  quest  for  what  is  "  all  the  rage." 

The  rose  courts  not  the  lily's  bloom, 
,  Nor  envies  she  her  sweet  perfume  ; 
But  each  in  beauties  given  doth  shine 
Admired  alike,  from  source  divine ; 
No  more  should  we  our  gifts  despise, 
On  others  look  with  envious  eyes, 
Unmeaningly  their  ways  assume. 


CALAMITY. 

/CALAMITY!  Oh,  whence  dost  come, 
Vy  Thou  grim  destroyer,  laying  low 
The  good,  the  grand,  the  beautiful  — 
Ignoring  treasure,  haughty  mien, 
Triumphal  arch  or  state  of  kings  — 
The  gems  of  genius,  wrought  by  Art, 
The  pride  of  cities  —  hope  of  man  ? 

Dost  come  through  accident  —  caprice 

Of  great  creation's  potentate  ? 

In  mercy  to  a  suffering  world, 

With  besom  dost  thou  harsh  approach  — 


106  Miscellaneous. 

That  many  more  may  grow  and  live, 
In  purer,  higher  walks,  which  lead 
To  summits  of  eternity. 

Jehovah,  who  the  lily  gave, 
The  rose  to  bloom  and  cheer  the  way 
By  common  footsteps  trod  —  who  lights 
With  central  fire,  diffusing  warmth, 
And  opening  nature  to  the  eye  — 
Who  night  adorns  with  silvery  orb, 
'Mid  changeless  lamps  of  gentle  beam, 
Descends  in  flood  and  hurricane, 
In  bursting  cloud  and  lurid  glare, 
In  desolating  famine,  sword 
And  pestilence,  with  ruthless  scythe  — 
To  bless  in  ways  we  cannot  see. 

The  forge  of  love,  with  glowing  heat, 

Of  visitation,  handling  rude, 

To  stern  endurance  frames  the  soul, 

Which  brings  at  length  to  pastures  green, 

Whose  margents  waters  still  inclose. 

Therefrom  are  wrought  in  spotless  white 

Kind  ministries  that  never  cease 

Dispensing  comforts,  which  engage, 

Like  visions  of  a  holy  eve  — 

The  peaceful  iris,  mists  disclose, 

And  resignation  blinding  tears. 

A  country  wounded  statesmen  heal. 


Miscellaneous.  107 

From  war's  defeat  new  heroes  spring. 
The  smitten  rock  clear  water  yields. 
To  Moses,  God,  through  fire,  is  known, 
'T  is  only,  after  dread  portents, 
Elijah  hears  the  still,  small  voice. 
From  depths  of  woe,  yet  unrevealed, 
Come  life  and  immortality. 


TO  BE  A  PROTESTANT. 

TO  be  a  Protestant  is  what  ? 
To  be  a  man  of  narrow  mind  ? 
Who  hates  all  others  of  his  kind  ? 
To  charity,  to  reason  blind  ? 

To  be  a  Protestant  is  what  ?  — 

To  be  a  friend  of  liberty ; 

To  think  the  truth  will  make  us  free  — 

To  hate  and  strive  'gainst  tyranny. 

To  be  a  Protestant  is  what  ? 

To  feel  for  all  a  Saviour  died, 

Low  superstition  to  deride, 

To  read  God's  word  whate'er  betide. 

To  be  a  Protestant  is  what  ? 
To  keep  our  country,  as  to-day, 
Apart  from  foreign  despots'  sway  — 
To  God,  through  Christ,  alone  to  pray. 


io8  Miscellaneous. 

BE  LOWLY,  O  CHRISTIAN  ! 

BE  lowly,  O  Christian,  to  all  of  thy  kind, — 
A  brother  despise  not,  impoverished,  obscure, — 
God  sealed  him  thine  equal,  with  heart  and  with  mind,- 

Not  less  for  his  rescue  did  Jesus  endure. 
By  deed  as  by  word  let  the  poor  man  believe 
Thy  vows  to  thy  Master,  ne'er  made  to  deceive. 

ii 
Pray  how  art  thou  better  than  penury's  child, 

With  station,  subservience  to  wealth  at  command  ? 
Durst  vaunt  of  a  nature  than  his  less  denied, 

A  soul  more  defended  from  sorrow's  dread  hand  ? 
Alike  may  ye  taste  of  life's  bitterest  draught 
Sin's  chalice  commingled  by  both  may  be  quaffed. 

in 
The  nursling  of  fortune,  inflated  with  pride, 

Surrenders  conceit  to  the  dust  of  which  made, 
E'en  Tarquin  Superbus  must  sleep  side  by  side 

With  sycophant  vassal  of  commonest  grade. 
The  despot  who  governs  a  world  by  his  nod, 
Ignoble  must  die  at  the  mandate  of  God. 

IV 

A  signet  divine  wears  the  humblest  brow, 
A  coronet  bright  above  rags  may  be  seen ; 


Miscellaneous.  109 

A  fair  pearl  of  Grace  may  the  plainest  endow, 
A  soul  unpolluted  'mongst  hovels  is  clean ; 
No  atom  of  gold  would  you  cast  to  the  wind  — 
Some  gold  in  each  mortal,  observant,  we  find. 


Be  lowly,  then,  Christian,  nor  let  worldly  caste 
Wear  haughty  demeanor  to  those  of  one  birth ; 

Let  toil-worn,  neglected  feel  Christ's  love  is  vast 

Through  those  who  proclaim  themselves  followers  upon 

Thus  concord  may  reconcile  differing  estate          [earth. 

Till  Labor  on  Capital  patiently  wait. 


THOUGHTS  ON  VISITING  THE  GRAVE  OF 
GENERAL  ULYSSES  S.  GRANT. 


softly  by  the  river, 
No  common  relics  lie 
Beneath  yon  mound,  which  seems  to  say, 
"  The  great,  the  good  must  die." 


ii 


Tread  lightly  by  the  river  ; 

Ye  see  no  tyrant's  grave  — 
Who  trampled  on  the  rights  of  man  — 

Beside  the  peaceful  wave. 


no  Miscellaneous. 

in 
One  sleeps  whose  courage  failed  not 

'Mid  war's  most  maddening  din, 
Yet  gentle  as  the  gentlest  child 

That  slumbers  free  from  sin. 

IV 

When  blackest  clouds  hung  o'er  us 
In  dread  fraternal  strife, 

A  chieftain  new  revived  the  hosts 
And  raised  from  death  to  life. 


No  tempest  rose  more  direful 

Abreast  the  ship  of  state. 
The  sturdy  pilot  grasped  the  helm 

Deciding  human  fate. 

VI 

"  If  needs,"  said  he,  "  all  summer  through 

On  this  line  I  will  fight." 
Such  iron  purpose  cleaved  the  way 
To  Richmond's  distant  height. 

vn 
His  name  can  never  perish 

Who  gave  the  Union  birth ; 
And  green  his  wreath  will  ever  be 

Who  slavery  swept  from  earth. 


Miscellaneous.  in 

VIII 

And  while  we  laud  the  manhood 

That  dealt  the  patriot  blow, 
Our  hearts  commend  the  Christian  love 

Which  raised  a  fallen  foe. 

IX 

So  long  as  beauteous  sunset 

Shall  glow  on  Hudson's  tide, 
Will  live  the  tale  how  blue  and  gray 

Wept,  standing  side  by  side. 


That  "  mercy  shown  to  others  " 
He  cannot  fail  to  find, — 

Eclipsing  far  the  dazzling  fame 
The  soldier  leaves  behind. 


THE  HIDDEN  CROSS. 

SCARCE  ever  to  the  eye  appears, 
The  cross  within  a  soul's  domain, 
'T  is  bathed  in  silent,  secret  tears 
Therewith  are  blended  unknown  fears, 
A  muffled  grief,  an  untold  pain. 

Perhaps  it  is  a  broken  vow, 

A  faithful  loving  heart  betrayed; 


ii2  Miscellaneous. 

The  wreath  torn  from  a  hero's  brow, 
Before  a  rival  weak  to  bow ; 

A  wound  by  hollow  friendship  made. 

Anon  it  is  the  wear  and  tear 
Of  active  life,  of  toil  for  bread, 

Dependent  little  ones  in  care ; 

Perchance  a  pauper's  grave  to  share  — 
A  hopeless  weeping  for  the  dead. 

Whate'er  it  be  of  heart  or  mind, 

Or  anguish  caused  this  nerve-strung  frame, 
In  every  child  of  woe  we  find 
A  cross  to  which  the  world  is  blind  — 
To  rich,  to  poor,  to  all  the  same. 

Would  we  this  unveiled  sadness  heal 

And  stay  the  deep  dark  Marah-tide  ? 
Another  cross  doth  Christ  reveal, 
Which  all  of  grief  cannot  conceal 

Where  Calvary's  streams  of  mercy  glide. 


THE  BREAKER. 

A  TINY  fleck  of  purest  white  creeps  on  from  far, — 
Apace  it  comes  with  growing  form, 
And  now  't  is  lost,  as  lost  in  clouds  the  trembling  star, — 
Again  it  speaks  the  hastening  storm. 


Miscellaneous.  113 

Anon,  as  sensitive  and  deep  stirred  swells  the  breast, 
It  rises  stately  towards  its  height 
Till  dashed  against  resistful  rocks  in  wild  unrest, 
Its  form  is  soon  removed  from  sight. 

While  many  tearful  eyes  perceive  the  distant  foam; 
Upon  the  face  dismay  is  told; 

A  watery  winding  sheet  it  seems  to  hearts  o'ercome ; 
The  ardent  pulse  of  youth  grows  cold. 

Though  wrecks,  with  loved  and  lost,  the  treacherous 

depths  bestrew, 

Who  cheerful  bounded  o'er  the  main, 
What  heeds  the  mocking  breaker  gathering  force  anew, 
Presaging  tempest  fierce  again  ? 

While  o'er  the  misty  way  we  float  towards  spirit  clime 
Some  breaker  rises,  sure  if  slow, 
The  faithful  soul  defies  the  ruthless  floods  of  time, 
As  yon  stanch  cliff  the  rage  below. 


THE  BELL  BUOY. 

A   BELFRY  on  the  deep; 
JL\.   No  land  appears, — 
Yet  mystic  chiming  strangely  fills  the  air, — 
It  wakes  from  sleep, 
It  conjures  fears, 
The  source, —  pray  where  ? 
8 


ii4  Miscellaneous. 

Thou  buoy  that  floats  the  wave, 
The  secret  tell  — 

"  Unwary  ones  that  heed  not  dangerous  shoals  " — 
These  notes  would  save ; 
My  seeming  spell, — 
"  The  sea  controls." 

'Mid  dancing,  thoughtless  spray 
These  sentry  sounds 
Betoken  grief  for  those  who  sleep  below, 
A  dirge-like  sway 
From  ocean  mounds  — 
An  echoed  woe. 

Within  each  human  breast 
The  soul  to  keep, 

A  warning  bell  to  every  one  is  known ; 
This  signal  blessed 
Mocks  self-willed  sleep  — 
In  undertone. 

'T  is  not  on  virtue's  tide 
Its  sounds  we  hear, 

But  when  sin's  treacherous  waters,  seeming  fair, 
Their  perils  hide  — 
In  kindness  near  — 
It  rings, — "  Beware." 


Miscellaneous.  1 1 

ON  THE   DEATH  OF  NATHANIEL  SMITH 
RICHARDSON,   D.  D. 

HE  fell  with  his  armor  girded  on, 
Equipped  for  the  thickening  strife ; 
The  prize,  through  the  Master  bravely  won, 
At  once  crowned  his  useful  life. 

He  valued  the  truth  and  sold  it  not, 

Did  benison  come,  or  blame, 
A  message  from  God  he  ne'er  forgot, 

Spite  interest  and  scorn  the  same. 

While  purblind  prophets  gave  ready  ear, 

As  syrens  their  world-strain  sang, 
Disdaining  all  sordid,  craven  fear, 

His  tocsin  unceasing  rang. 

He  watched  with  care,  lest  the  Church,  the  Bride, 
From  Bridegroom  should  be  divorced ; — 

While  fiercely  brake  the  opposing  tide, 
Of  Christ,  the  Head,  he  discoursed. 

Repose  in  peace  with  each  loyal  heart, 

The  palm  of  the  Just  be  thine; 
Thy  choice  was  the  hard  but  better  part, 

Upheld  by  a  voice  divine. 


n6  Miscellaneous. 

Whoe'er  may  condemn  thy  conscience  word, 

Can  scarcely  fail  to  admire 
That  spirit  in  man  which  will  be  heard, 

Undaunted  by  sword  or  fire. 

May  those  commissioned  by  One  on  high, 

Be  ever  as  leal  as  he ; 
In  love  may  they  all  as  faithful  vie, 

That  Sion  from  taint  be  free. 

For  place  or  pelf  may  they  not  be  found, 

Accepting  the  false,  if  new ; 
In  doctrine  may  each  be  stanch  and  sound, 

If  kindred  souls  be  the  few. 


VAIN  REGRETS. 

WHO  that  looks  upon  the  past 
Does  not  ponder  ? 
Who  that  reads  its  strange  neglects, 

Does  not  wonder 
If  the  coming  days  shall  prove 

Any  better  ? 
Whether  Haste  or  Sloth  shall  write 

Such  dark  letter  ?  — 
Waste  no  sighs  on  what  can  ne'er 

Be  prevented, 
Acts  to  which  a  pliant  will 

Hath  consented. 


Miscellaneous.  117 

Careless  seedsmen  oft  become 

Far  more  chary, 
If  the  birds  devour  the  grain 

When  unwary. 
Dost  thou  for  thy  planting  lost, 

Trouble  borrow  ? 
Prayerful  sow,  and  thou  shalt  reap 

Joy,  not  sorrow. 


THE  SILENT  MARCH. 

THE  march  of  life  is  onward  ever, 
Its  fleeing  moments  spurn  delay ; 
As  soon  may  man  from  being  sever, 
As  cease  to  tread  its  solemn  way. 

When  least  aware  we  still  are  moving, 
All  pilgrims  toward  an  unseen  goal ; 

If  slothful,  or  our  days  improving, 
We  float  along  as  billows  roll. 

Nay,  e'en  when  Sleep  asserts  dominion, 
Earth  slumb'ring  'neath  her  drowsy  reign, 

The  swift- winged  Hours  ne'er  fold  a  pinion  — 
Their  flight  no  less  though  star-beams  wane. 

We  cannot  change  the  tide  when  flowing ; 

We  cannot  bind  the  zephyr  free ; 
We  cannot  breast  the  life's  on-going, 

Like  streamlet  gliding  toward  the  sea. 


1 1 8  Miscellaneous. 

Momentous  this  resistless  marching, 
This  silent  step  -toward  shores  unknown  • 

'Mid  Alpine  glacier,  desert  parching  — 
Its  footprints  found  in  every  zone. 

But,  oh,  to  ponder  mystic  winding 
In  realms  beyond  our  vision's  range ! 

That  paths  there  trod  we  here  are  finding, 
Is  theme  for  musing,  wondrous  strange. 


THE  TOMB  OF  JOSEPH  RODMAN  DRAKE. 

A  SIDE  from  traffic,  in  a  humble  brake, 
jfJL  Repose  the  relics  of  the  poet  Drake  ; 
No  classic  column  with  surmounting  bust, 

As  yet  denotes  where  lies  the  silent  dust ; 
But  willows  lowly  o'er  him  weeping  bend, 

Dejected  by  the  loss  of  Nature's  friend. 
Although  the  Muse  bewailed  him  in  his  prime, 

And  Halleck  grieved  at  Death's  untoward  time, 
Yet  thoughts  of  ripeness  and  of  Living  Truth 

Adorned  the  treasures  of  a  well  spent  youth. 
The  "  Culprit  Fay,"  a  pure  aerial  sprite, 

And  "  Freedom's  Flag  "  with  hues  of  heavenly  light ; 
And  "  Gentle  Bronx,"  whose  unpretending  tide, 

Doth  through  his  magic  numbers  sweetly  glide, — 
Are  deep  inlaid  upon  the  scroll  of  fame, 

The  deathless  record  of  a  well  earned  name. 


Miscellaneous.  119 

Though  lightly  did  the  bard  esteem  his  worth, 

Consigned  at  last  to  this  secluded  earth ;  — 
The  fragrant  wild-flower  blooming  near  his  bed, 

The  wind  that  sighs,  from  briny  billows  shed, 
The  lark  that  breaks  the  loneliness  of  morn, 

The  harvest  ripening  with  its  wealth  of  corn, 
Seem  now  to  speak,  prophetic  of  that  hour, 

When  Drake  in  bronze  shall  test  the  artist's  power, 
When  merit  shall  its  due  award  receive, 

And  Genius  slighted  need  no  longer  grieve. 


ODE  TO   STATEN  ISLAND. 

AN  isle  with  lovely  shore 
Jr\.  O'erspread  with  rural  bloom ; 
A  city  vast  before 

Enwrapt  in  misty  gloom. 
This  pleasant  isle, 
Not  many  a  mile 

From  where  men  pant  for  room. 

What  place  more  fair  conceived 
In  Fancy's  realms  of  light, 

Which  those  from  toil  relieved 
May  greet  with  favored  sight 

At  set  of  sun, 

When  work  is  done, 

And  slow  descends  the  night? 


1 2  o  Miscellaneous. 

At  Kill  von  Kull  a  ray 
In  beauty  decks  the  sea, 

At  close  of  sultry  day, 

When  fettered  limbs  are  free. 

A  picture  —  joy, 

The  heart's  decoy, 

Bids  brooding  sorrow  flee. 

But  yet,  ere  eyes  grow  dim 
To  note  the  passing  year, 

These  gardens,  neat  and  trim, 
Perhaps  will  disappear, 

Till  urban  shade 

Shall  shroud  the  glade, 

To  please  coarse  traffic's  whim. 

But  let  the  prophet  tell 

How  landmarks  are  removed, 

I'll  ne'er  defy  the  spell 

Of  present  objects  loved: — 

The  bird  and  tree, 

The  humming  bee, 

Resistless  charms  have  proved. 

Mosquitoes,  Standard  Oil, 
Or  more  unpleasant  things, 

Shall  try  in  vain  to  spoil, — 
I  mind  not  fumes  nor  stings. 

A  rural  smile, 

Enchanting  wile, 

Their  fond  oblivion  brings. 


Miscellaneous.  121 


TAKE  NO  THOUGHT  FOR  THE  MORROW. 

WE  eat  the  bread  of  care ; 
From  morn  to  night  we  toil, 
Ne'er  free  from  anxious  thought, 
Begrimed  with  mundane  soil. 
We  climb  as  though  for  life ; 
On  summits  would  be  placed; 
We  build  vast  futile  plans 
By  time  to  be  effaced ; 
Absorbed  in  self  alone 
Man  envies  those  who  rise ; 
Let  struggling  victims  groan 
He  seeks  to  snatch  the  prize ; 
He  vaunts  and  hugs  his  store 
As  though  't  were  all  in  all, 
False  laurels  would  he  wear 
Though  dearest  friend  should  fall. 
His  country  or  his  town, 
His  party  house  or  name, 
He  writes  with  glowing  pride 
And  blends  them  with  his  fame. 
Poor  dupe  of  vain  ambition, 
He  ne'er  has  wisdom  found, 
His  grasping  disposition 
Shows  heart  and  mind  unsound. 


A  chieftain  from  the  forest 


122  Miscellaneous. 

Who  lived  from  day  to  day, 
As  thrives  the  cared-for  sparrow 
Or  beast  that  finds  its  prey ; 
Who  slept  on  grassy  pillow 
Content  with  Nature's  fare, 
With  humblest  comrade  willing 
His  fortune  rude  to  share ; 
Is  brought  to  greet  a  city 
Where  art's  attractions  rise, 
Where  palaces  and  towers 
And  parks  salute  his  eyes. — 
His  guide,  supposing,  dazzled 
At  sights  so  rare  as  these, 
The  wild  and  dusky  savage, 
Asks  what  his  taste  might  please. 
The  chieftain,  nought  affected, — 
As  deems  his  eager  host  — 
Doth  ne'er  vouchsafe  to  mention 
What  charm  delights  him  most ; 
But  lost  in  grave  reflection, 
This  strange  response  doth  give, — 
"  It  seems  to  me  you  white  folk 
Try  very  hard  to  live." 


Miscellaneous.  123 


LIFE  IN  DEATH. 

(A  group  of  passengers  on  a  sinking  ship  join  hands  and  perish 
together. ) 

OUT  on  the  sea, 
Far  from  the  land, 
Buoyant  with  glee, 
Floats  a  gay  band. 

Hope's  banners  fly, 

Laughter  is  loud ; 
O'er  heart,  o'er  sky, 

Hovers  no  cloud. 

Out  on  the  sea, 

Far  from  the  land, 
Hushed  is  the  glee ; 

Storm  waves  command. 

Soon  on  the  deep, 

Dangers  appal : 
Death's  final  sleep 

Waiting  for  all. 

Out  on  the  sea, 

Far  from  the  land, 
Souls  shall  be  free, 

Hand  clasping  hand. 


1 24  Miscellaneous. 

Singing  a  hymn, 
Breathing  a  prayer, 

Sense  becomes  dim; 
One  grave  they  share. 

Tossed  on  the  sea, — 
Safe  on  the  shore, — 

Christ's  should  we  be, 
One  evermore. 


Happy  such  tie, 

Sealed  with  last  breath, 
Witnessed  on  high, 

Hallowing  death. 


FIRST  IN  PEACE,  FIRST  IN  WAR,  FIRST  IN 
THE  HEARTS  OF  HIS  COUNTRYMEN. 


FULL  tribute  pay  to  him  who,  first  in  peace, 
Demands  that  grateful  tokens  never  cease. 
The  earliest  helmsman  to  our  bark  of  state, 
In  civic  power  uprose  a  leader  great. 
Wild  faction's  storm  his  skill  at  once  allayed, 
Who  governed  self  and  thus  the  people  swayed. 
The  olive  twine  for  him,  our  birthright  won — 
Our  heaven-ruled  President  —  our  Washington. 


Miscellaneous.  125 

ii 

He,  first  in  peace,  as  first  in  war,  we  place, 
When  on  the  field  his  martial  course  we  trace. 
'Gainst  soldiers,  battle-trained,  he  drew  his  sword, 
Inspiring  untried  troops  with  cheering  word. 
But  human  rights  his  willing  footsteps  led, 
And  thus  he  conquered  while  dissuasion  fled. 
The  laurel  weave  for  work  so  nobly  done, 
In  freedom's  cause,  by  valiant  Washington. 

in 

Each  distant  land  resounding  echo  gives 
That  first  within  his  country's  heart  he  lives, 
A  patriot  true,  awake  to  duty's  claim, 
His  honor  dearer  held  than  wealth  or  fame. — 
At  last,  when  all  his  lustrous  traits  we  scan, 
Our  judgment  yields  approval  to  —  a  man. 
With  amaranthine  bloom  that  braves  the  sun, 
Let  memory  crown  the  peerless  Washington. 

WINTER. 

TJOISTEROUS  winter,  prophet  of  ill, 
\3  Rough  side  of  nature,  desolate,  chill, 
Killing  the  flower,  stripping  the  tree, 
Forcing  the  song-bird  southward  to  flee, 
Driving  the  kine  from  bleak  field  to  stall, 
Heaping  the  snowdrift  over  the  wall, 


126  Miscellaneous. 

Rifling  of  verdure  grass-laden  mead, 
Sealing  in  earth  the  slumbering  seed, 
Hasting  the  twelvemonth  sere  to  its  close, 
Numbing  the  muse  that  genially  flows, 
Sporting  at  will  with  shivering  forms, 
Filling  with  dread  at  gathering  storms, 
Slippery  pavements,  tottering  gait, 
Causing  delay,  till  keen  frosts  abate. 
Winter  enchaining  the  body  and  will, 
Swift  stream  arresting,  hushing  the  mill, 
Heedless  of  murmurs  heard  from  the  poor, 
Hungry  and  half-clad,  found  at  the  door. 
Messenger  dread,  congealing  the  breath, 
Curdling  the  blood,  and  warning  of  death  — 
Hie  thee  far  hence,  thou  grim  Arctic  shade, 
Get  thee  where  sunbeams  never  pervade. 
Ungracious  winter,  harsh  dost  thou  seem, 
When  disenchanting  autumn's  soft  dream. 
Yet  if  we  judge  in  kindlier  mood, 
Candor  reveals  a  friend  true  and  good ; 
Rough  in  demeanor,  tender  in  heart, 
Such  is  the  verdict  time  doth  impart. 
Often  seems  fortune  dismal  at  first, 
Clouds  of  destruction  ready  to  burst, 
While  underlying  mercies  divine 
Shine  like  the  gold  relieving  the  mine ; 
So  with  thee,  winter,  deemed  most  severe, 
Favor  diffused,  will  surely  appear. 
Rosy-hued  health  is  borne  on  thy  wing, 
Pestilent  fever  no  more  is  king ; 


Miscellaneous.  127 

Over  the  slothful  thy  bracing  sway 

Banishes  languor,  seizing  the  day ; 

Home  made  the  stronghold,  decked  with  more 

charms, 

Terrors  external  wholly  disarms; 
Thine  is  glad  Christmas,  yule-logs  aglow, 
Evergreens  torn  from  fast  clinging  snow ; 
And  though  some  mourner  drop  a  sad  tear, 
Spirits  elate  salute  thy  New  Year. 
Thine  merry  sleigh-bells,  rush  of  gay  steed, 
Coasting,  lithe  skaters  graceful  in  speed; 
Thine  the  glad  moonlight,  glittering  star, 
Flashing  Aurora  shooting  afar; 
Pendants  adorning  roof-top  and  tree, 
Branches  in  mail  which  flash  like  the  sea. 
Hard-favored  winter  spread  like  a  pall, 
Heaven-favored  winter  smiling  on  all. 


LIFE   AS  IT   IS. 

life  is  but  a  thing  of  fears, 
_L    A  dream  of  hopes,  of  smiles,  of  tears — 
A  blossom  which  at  morning  blows, 
A  blossom  which  at  evening  goes — 
A  flower  tinged  with  beauty's  blush, 
Which  any  thoughtless  tread  may  crush ; 
A  sky  of  azure,  fair  and  bright, 
That  storm-clouds  quick  obscure  from  sight; 


128  Miscellaneous. 

A  moonbeam's  evanescent  play, 
Which  ere  the  day-dawn  speeds  away; 
A  bubble  floating  on  a  lake 
That  soon  a  passing  breeze  may  break; 
A  wave  which  tosses  high  and  free, 
Then  dies  upon  a  tranquil  sea. 
Life  as  it  is  —  a  songster  proud 
Which  leaves  its  perch  to  seek  the  cloud, 
But  soon  falls  low  with  flutt'ring  wing, 
No  more  to  soar,  no  more  to  sing. 
Oh,  fearful  art  thou,  human  life, 
Thou  fitful  thing,  thou  thing  of  strife ! 
Why  mock  us  with  the  promise  bright, 
Then  leave  behind  the  gloom  of  night  ? 
Not  so  that  life  which  is  to  be  — 
There  no  alloy,  no  mockery, 
No  transient  smile,  no  bitter  tear, 
No  intermingling  hope  and  fear; 
No  fading  light,  no  short-lived  bloom, 
No  preparation  for  the  tomb ; 
No  palsied  joy,  no  fleeting  breath, 
No  throbbing  pulses,  hushed  in  death ; 
But  as  the  eagle  soars  from  sight, 
And  leaves  behind  each  mountain  height, 
Ne'er  pausing  in  his  upward  way, 
While  yet  remains  one  golden  ray, 
So  soars  man's  spirit,  once  set  free 
In  that  pure  life  which  is  to  be. 


Miscellaneous.  129 

IN  MEMORY  OF  THE  LATE  REV.  STEPHEN  H. 
TYNG,  D.  D. 

i 

NOT  every  hero  guards  the  eternal  cause  — 
A  beacon  light : 

On  Zion's  heaven-lit  towers  the  warders  pause, — 
Nay,  yield  the  fight. 

ii 

It  brightens  hope  to  trace — where  softness  reigns  — 

Unflinching  nerve ; 
The  valiant  few  who  offer  self,  time,  pains, 

Their  King  to  serve. 

in 

One  hence  has  gone,  with  iron  purpose  fraught, 

To  speak  as  told 
Prom  Sinai's  mount,  or  where  the  Saviour  taught 

In  words  of  gold. 

IV 

His  matchless  trust  he  did  not  vend  at  will  — 

A  huckster  vile  — 
To  changing  markets  in  celestial  wares 

Of  any  style. 
9 


130  Miscellaneous. 


One  central  truth  enlisted  thought  and  breath, 

'T  was  Jesus'  love ; 
Discoursing  how  it  brought  up  Life  from  Death, 

He  sought  to  move. 

VI 

Crowds  pressed  to  hear,  because  he  held  the  Cross 

In  open  view; 
Like  Paul,  he  deemed  all  else  on  earth  but  loss  — 

Such  mind  they  knew. 

VII 

As  shined  to  Constantine  the  signal  weird 

By  which  to  win, 
There  seemed  before  his  daily  sight,  upreared, 

This  cure  for  sin. 

VIII 

Socratic  power  informed  his  ripened  speech, 

Instructing  youth ; 
Unmoved  by  threat  or  favor,  "  apt  to  teach" 

Fair  Wisdom's  truth. 

IX 

Take  heart,  ye  timid  guides,  who  fear  to  tell 

The  "  narrow  way  " ; 
Let  soldiers  brave,  in  Christ  who  war  so  well, 

The  spirit  sway. 


Miscellaneous.  131 


I  LOOK  BEYOND. 

I  LOOK  beyond  this  teasing  care, 
Which,  like  the  stinging  pest, 
That  will  not  let  me  rest, 

Drives  reason  from  her  lofty  throne, 
'Mid  hopeless,  grim  despair. 

I  look  beyond  colossal  wrong, 

With  shameless  Gorgon  head, 

A  timid  nation's  dread, 

Which  makes  an  oft-defeated  will 
To  cringe  before  the  strong. 

I  look  beyond  the  lessening  light, 

That  surely,  slowly  fades 

'Mid  gathering  evening  shades, 

While  breathings  weird  from  mystic  realms 
Reveal  't  will  soon  be  night. 

I  look  beyond  the  thoughts  that  craze 

The  weakling,  finite  mind, 

That  sees  not  God  behind, — 

Whereby  this  perfect  plan  doth  seem 
A  wildering  needless  maze. 

Ye  troubled  children  of  to-day, 
Whose  hearts  are  in  a  sphere 


132  Miscellaneous. 

We  know  must  disappear, 

Pause  not  to  dream  and  moan  and  pine, 
But  look  beyond,  I  say. 


TO  BESSIE,  MY  ELDER  DAUGHTER, 

ON   HER   SIXTEENTH    BIRTHDAY. 

rJST  sweet  sixteen — that  golden  age, 
Enrolled  on  life's  mysterious  page, 
When,  childhood's  hours  of  sunshine  gone, 
Some  cherished  hopes  have  with  them  flown. 
Dear  Bessie,  't  is  a  parent's  will 
A  child  thou  shouldst  continue  still ; 
That  freshness  yet  suffuse  thy  heart, 
And  true  nobility  impart ; 
That  guilelessness  may  never  cease, 
But  always  cause  thee  inward  peace ; 
That  youthful  trust  may  gently  twine 
Its  fadeless  wreath  of  love  divine, 
Whose  pensive  halo  on  thy  brow 
May  ever  seal  the  fontal  vow ; 
That  thou  submit  to  His  kind  hand 
Who  points  us  to  the  better  land. 
Be  simple  in  thy  every  aim 
And  heed  not  fashion's  hollow  claim. 
If  others  seek  in  wealth  to  shine, 
Let  household  virtues  pure  be  thine. 


Miscellaneous.  133 

Remember,  beauty  e'en  most  rare 
Without  discretion  is  a  glare, 
And  duty  should  our  time  employ, 
While  pleasure  is  a  wayside  toy. 
Obtain  the  precious  wealth  of  soul 
Whose  winning  and  whose  strong  control 
Will  charm  when  youth  has  had  its  day 
And  human  graces  lose  their  sway. 
That  God  may  bless  thy  future  years 
And  give  thee  more  of  smiles  than  tears, 
And  thou  at  last  His  joy  may  share, 
Dear  Bessie,  is  a  father's  prayer. 


TO   SALLIE,    MY    YOUNGER    DAUGHTER, 

ON    HER   SIXTEENTH    BIRTHDAY. 

BEYOND  the  river  Acheron,  in  Greece,  it  was  supposed 
That  classic  gardens  in  their  bloom  the  asphodel 
exposed, — 
This  faithful  flower  place  near  thy  heart,  which  constancy 

will  teach; 
Such  emblem  for  thy  life  on  earth — a  future  life  will  reach. 

The  jassamine,  of  spotless  white,  with  leaves  of  brightest 

green, 
Is  known,  by  fragrance  sweet  exhaled,  before  its  form  is 

seen; 


134  Miscellaneous. 

It  breathes  of  kind  pervasiveness  that  fills  a  loving  face ; — 
Let   friends   at   distance   know  thee  near,  through   pure 
affection's  grace. 

The  humble  broom  a  monarch  plucks  to  deck  his  royal 

crest ; 

This  modest  plant  with  dignity  did  valiant  knights  invest ; 
So  let  thy  unpretending  worth  suggest  a  purpose  higher, 
To  meet  the  choice  of  Christ  our  King,  thy  first,  thy  last 

desire. 

BEAUTIFUL   HUDSON. 

O  BEAUTIFUL  Hudson,  roll  on  in  thy  might, 
So  wooingly  bathed  in  the  moon's  soft'ned  light ! 
How  fain  would  I  watch  from  the  highlands  above 
Each  bark  on  thy  breast,  like  a  snowy  wing'd  dove. 

Most  pleasant  to  ponder  the  Catskill's  repose, 
As  deepens  the  shade  at  the  day's  gentle  close; 
To  linger  in  summer  time  near  Tappan  Zee, 
'Mid  song  of  the  wood  bird  or  hum  of  the  bee ! 

O  beautiful  Hudson,  thou  stream  of  my  heart, 
Awakening  thoughts  that  can  never  depart, 
How  sweet  to  recall  on  the  far  distant  strand, 
Thee,  fairest  of  rivers  that  grace  our  free  land ! 

Let  other  bards  sing  of  the  beautiful  Rhine, 

Whose  turret-crowned  hills  bear  resemblance  to  thine, 


Miscellaneous.  135 

But  give  me  that  stream  which  on  Nature  alone 
Has  builded  her  claims  and  established  her  throne. 


THE  AIR  OF  SIASCONSET. 

THE  air  of  Siasconset, 
Is  fortified  with  health ; 
'T  is  full  of  benediction, 
It  yields  far  more  than  wealth. 
It  turns  despondency  to  joy, 
And  man  becomes  again — a  boy. 

It  lifts  the  soul  to  heaven, 
Whence  every  good  descends, 
It  banishes  ill  feeling, 
The  genial  mind  befriends. 
Malaria — hated  poison — flies, 
Its  ills  to  plant  'neath  other  skies. 

When  wearied  in  the  city, 

O'ercome  with  heat  and  toil, 

We  sigh  to  tread  the  paths  once  more, 

Upon  this  wave-washed  soil, — 

To  breathe  where  Sanketty's  head-light, 

Dispels  the  sailors'  fears  at  night. 

The  wild  rose  we  would  gather, 
That  decks  Nantucket  isle, 


136  Miscellaneous. 


Would  revel  in  its  fragrance, 
And  catch  again  its  smile ; — 
Would  sip  the  tonic  Neptune  gives 
By  which  the  drooping  spirit  lives. 

Of  elements  protected, 
From  touch  of  aught  unclean ; 
In  laboratory  faultless, 
Whose  workings  are  unseen — 
Is  formed  supply  of  best  ozone, 
To  wand  of  science  ever  known. 

Grotesque  is  Siasconset, 
With  relics  strange  and  old ; 
Yet  they  who  seek  to  find  them, 
Attractions  more  behold; 
But  chiefly  are  we  bidden  there, 
By  power  embosomed  in  its  air. 


CAST  ANCHOR. 

TWO  vessels  start  upon  the  deep 
To  reach  a  distant  shore ; 
'Mid  storm-winds  rising  from  their  sleep, 
And  distant  storm-waves  roar. 

"  Cast  anchor,"  speaks  a  solemn  voice, 
'T  is  madness  to  proceed ; 


Miscellaneous.  137 

One  captain  makes  a  fatal  choice, 
The  other  quick  takes  heed. 

Ere  long  the  wild  o'ermastering  gale 

Ingulfs  a  reckless  crew ; 
While  safely  rides  a  folded  sail 

Above  the  waters  blue. 

Two  youths  start  forth  upon  the  tide 

Of  life's  uncertain  sea ; 
"  Cast  anchor  "  on  the  heav'nly  side, 
Speaks  forth  Eternity. 

For  one  that  voice  is  raised  in  vain, 

The  other  marks  its  notes ; 
A  human  bark  is  driven  amain, 

Its  fellow  safely  floats. 

Seems  all  above  serene  and  clear 

Within  this  world  of  ours  ? 
Behold  yon  darkling  cloud  appear, 

Which  o'er  the  sunshine  lowers. 

"  Cast  anchor, "  friend,  within  the  veil, 

And  let  wild  billows  beat ; 
They  cannot  o'er  thy  faith  prevail, 
Disturb  thy  sure  retreat. 


138  Miscellaneous. 

ON    HEARING    THE    EVENING    GUN    AT 
QUARANTINE,    STATEN    ISLAND. 

HARK  to  the  sound  of  the  evening  gun, 
Proclaiming  the  work  of  day  is  done ; 
Dismissing  the  sons  of  toil  to  rest, 
While  drooping  the  bird  now  seeks  its  nest. 

Hark  to  the  sound  of  the  evening  gun, 
It  speaks  of  the  hour  when  hearts  are  won, 
When  Cupid  shall  weave  his  mystic  spell, 
Which  on  the  unending  years  shall  tell. 

Hark  to  the  sound  of  the  evening  gun, 
It  bids  us  observe  the  setting  sun, — 
That,  with  its  last  ray,  the  dreams  depart, 
Which  brightened  at  morn  the  sanguine  heart. 

Hark  to  its  cheerful  tone,  "All  is  well," 
As  dying  upon  the  ocean  swell ; 
It  loudly  declares — One  never  sleeps, 
Who  tender  and  faithful  vigil  keeps. 

Hark  to  the  sound  of  the  evening  gun, 
Reminding  of  evil  we  should  shun ; 
It  asks  "  Till  to-morrow,  why  delay  — 
A  summons  of  duty's  voice  to-day  ?  " 


Miscellaneous.  139 

Hark  to  the  sound  of  the  evening  gun, 
It  warns  us  the  race  is  nearly  run, 
It  echoes,  "  The  strife  will  soon  be  o'er," 
While  booming  along  the  distant  shore. 


MY   FLOWERS. 

A  Dying  Mother's  Request  to  Her  Daughter. 

COME  closer  to  thy  mother  dear, 
And  place  thy  hand  in  mine, 
I  feel  the  warning  very  near 
When  earth  I  must  resign. 

One  simple  charge  to  thee  I  make, 

Which  charge,  if  thou  obey, 
Content  I  '11  let  the  angels  take 

My  spirit  far  away. 

The  boon  I  ask  is — that  these  flowers, 

Which,  'mid  the  wintry  gloom, 
As  though  just  washed  by  summer  showers, 

Send  forth  their  sweet  perfume, 

May  be  the  objects  of  thy  care, 

As  they  have  been  of  mine ; 
That  thou  'It  protect  each  leaflet  rare 

Nor  let  their  beauties  pine. 


14°  Miscellaneous. 

Observe  them  e'en  as  I  have  done, 

With  ever  anxious  eye, 
Be  wary  lest  a  single  one 

Untimely  droop  and  die. 

And  think  not  that  the  boon  I  crave 

Ill-suited  to  this  hour, — 
That  'mid  delirium  I  rave 

About  a  transient  flower. 

I  've  watched  each  rosebud  slowly  ope, 

I  've  seen  each  lily  fade, 
With  one  my  soul  renewed  its  hope, 

Which  with  the  last  decayed. 

These  silent  teachers  sweetly  tell 

The  story  of  Christ's  love, 
Vain  doubts  depart  as  by  a  spell, 

Where  words  could  never  move. 

Oh,  may  our  Father  by  such  means, 

Exalt  thy  soul  from  earth; 
While  on  His  strength  thy  weakness  leans, 

Who  gave  these  flow'rets  birth. 


Miscellaneous.  141 

DEDICATION  OF  AN   ALBUM 

Belonging  to  a  little  girl  celebrated  for  her  musical  talent. 

FAIR  child,  this  world  is  now  but  new  to  thee, 
While  hope  paints  what  the  coming  life  may  be, — 
But  trust  not  hope,  for  oft  she  hath  deceived 
The  young,  who  have  her  promises  believed. 
Yet  should  thy  future  days  be  dark  or  bright, 
Thy  wounds  a  balm  may  find,  thy  footsteps  light. 
Obey  the  guidance  of  our  Friend  on  high, 
Who  leads  to  where  the  verdant  pastures  lie, 
And  thus  life's  roses  shall  expand  for  thee, 
While  thou  its  thorns  shall  never  feel  nor  see. 
Improve  thy  gifts  and  cultivate  the  heart, 
And  blessings  shall  be  thine  where'er  thou  art. 
Thy  guardians  will  approve,  esteem  will  grow, 
The  streams  of  self-respect  unceasing  flow. 
God  grant  thee  power  long  to  sing  and  play, 
And  chase  from  many  an  eye  the  tear  away, 
Till,  at  the  last,  a  mystic  harp  be  given, 
Whose  thrilling  tones  thy  skill  shall  wake  in  Heaven. 

THE    MAGDALEN'S    PRAYER. 

DEAR  Saviour  fold  me  in  thy  love, 
And  take  me  to  thy  care : 
From  intercession's  heights  above, 
Oh,  heaiSa  sinner's  prayer ! 


142  Miscellaneous. 

A  scornful  world  derides  my  tears 
And  casts  me  from  its  sight ; 

Let  thy  free  pardon  quench  my  tears, 
With  all-prevailing  might. 

The  lab'rer  seeks  at  eve  his  home, 
With  footstep  light  and  free ; 

But  I  from  morn  to  night  must  roam, 
Bow'd  down  with  misery. 

Alas,  a  thoughtless  hour  beguiled 
Amid  the  paths  of  shame  — 

I  deemed  him  true  who  falsely  smiled, 
To  rob  me  of  my  name. 

As  now  I  gaze  on  yonder  tide, 
With  waters  dark  and  deep  — 

My  foul  disgrace  I  fain  would  hide 
In  death's  oblivious  sleep. 

But  yet  I  shudder  as  the  winds 
Seem  searching  to  my  heart;  — 

A  hidden  power  my  purpose  binds, 
And  from  myself  I  start. 

Dear  Saviour,  thou  dost  intervene, 
Restraining  my  intent  — 

Thy  watchful  mercy  now  is  seen 
This  madness  to  prevent. 


Miscellaneous.  143 

The  fallen  sister  thou  didst  raise 
And  soothe  her  throbbing  breast, — 

And  should  I  fail  thy  love  to  praise, 
And  on  thy  word  to  rest  ? 

Then,  Jesus,  fold  me  in  that  love, 

And  take  me  to  thy  care ; 
From  intercession's  heights  above 

Oh,  hear  a  sinner's  prayer  ! 


PARTING  HYMN  AT  THE  VAN  NORMAN 
INSTITUTE. 

Written  for  the  Class  of  1879. 

MINGLED  emotions,  engaging  the  heart, 
Sadly  remind  us  that  classmates  must  part ; 
Leaving  the  dreamland  of  girlhood's  fresh  life, 
Seeking  the  upland  in  earth's  fitful  strife. 

Lasting  are  ties  which  so  tenderly  bind, 
Comrades  engrossed  in  the  treasures  of  mind;  — 
While  union,  springing  from  fancy,  must  wane, 
Ours  deeply  rooted  will  ever  remain. 

May  the  good  seed  with  such  carefulness  sown, 
Yield  when  the  days  of  our  youth  have  long  flown ; 
In  the  hereafter,  when  mortals  are  free, 
Glorious  fruitage  may  all  of  us  see. 


144  Miscellaneous. 

Teachers  so  patient  and  schoolmates  so  dear, 
Mem'ry  will  hallow  through  each  changing  year. 
Ever  be  vivid  those  fast  speeding  hours, 
Which  we  have  shared  amid  learning's  fair  bowers. 


Blessings  for  all  who,  assembled  to-day, 
Wish  us  God-speed  on  the  uncertain  way; 
May  they  with  reverence  always  thus  prize 
Knowledge,  that  legacy  sent  from  the  skies. 

Help  us,  kind  Father,  our  duty  to  know, 
Led  by  Thy  hand, — in  its  path  may  we  go; 
Feeling  that  guidance,  protection  and  love, 
Never  will  fail  where  our  aim  is  above. 


ATHEISM. 

WE  here  were  placed  to  perish  like  the  brute,- 
Though  sorrow  has  our  portion  been, 
And  hope  has  ne'er  fruition  seen, — 
Forever  must  the  lips  in  death  be  mute. 

The  invalid  with  languid  pulse  and  eye, 
The  laborer  bending  'neath  his  care, 
Who  must  his  daily  burdens  bear, 

Sees  at  the  end  no  prospect  but — to  die. 


Miscellaneous.  145 

He,  long  immured  from  light,  with  clanking  chain, 

The  man  of  every  friend  bereft, 

Without  a  face  of  kindred  left, 
Must  look  beyond  conjecture's  mists, — in  vain. 

As  they  who  cast  their  nets  and  nothing  found, 
When  gloom  of  night  did  long  invest, 
And  weary  limbs  obtained  no  rest, 

Are  we  with  life-work  buried  in  the  ground. 

No  promise  comes  the  final  hour  to  cheer, 
When  racking  pains  disturbed  repose, 
And  weeping  friends  predict  the  close, 

And  next  await  the  knell,  the  shroud,  the  bier. 

Such  cheerless  view,  perverted  science  takes; 

She  tells  us,  this  poor  life  is  all, 

The  future  hiding  with  a  pall, 
That,  when  man  dies,  he  never  more  awakes. 

Assumption  most  fallacious,  most  unwise, 
It  makes  Creation  but  a  joke, 
And  Providence  dissolves  in  smoke ; 

Our  planet  seems  a  mere  balloon  that  flies. 

No  stimulus  exists  for  hero's  deeds, 
,For  truth's  advance,  mind's  higher  play, — 
But  honors  merely  of  a  day, 
While  partially  are  given  this  world's  meeds. 
10 


146  Miscellaneous. 

Much  we  prefer  to  place  before  such  dross, 
Some  signal  of  a  land  in  store, 
Some  sunbeam  from  the  Evermore, 

Some  vision  of  the  all-prevailing  Cross. 

To  lift  the  soul,  so  oft  obscured  by  tears, 
To  give  a  purpose  and  an  aim, 
For  love  disclosed  to  each  the  same ; — 

We  need  some  Revelation  through  the  years. 

And  when,  at  last,  in  Time's  relentless  date, 
We  reach  the  problem  of  the  sod, 
'T  were  well  to  feel  "  there  is  a  God," 

And  yield  to  Him  the  spirit  and  its  fate. 


ON    SEEING    A    PICTURE    OF    HOMEWARD 
LABORERS    AT    PRAYER. 

T~\EVOTION'S  hour  is  drawing  near, 
LJ  Yon  little  chapel  lifts  its  spire ; 
All  work  is  o'er  and  now  appear 
Those  seeking  home  in  soiled  attire. 

As  slow  the  evening  shadows  fall 
And  mellowed  beauty  fills  the  sky, 

A  heavenly  light  descends  on  all, 
Who  grateful  kneel  to  One  on  high. 


Miscellaneous.  147 

God  bless  the  workmen  of  our  land, 
And  make  them  cheerful  'mid  their  lot ; 

And  may  a  smiling  Christian  band 
Be  found  in  every  humble  cot. 

THE  WINDS. 

YE  winds  speak  a  language  consoling  or  sad, 
As  trifling  through  arbors,  or  seemingly  mad; 
While  cooling  this  evening  my  o'erheated  brow, 
Ye  tell  of  some  streamlet  with  cadences  low. 
Like  dirges  ye  sound  from  the  old  Abbey  walls, 
Or  castle  historic  with  desolate  halls. 
When  shrieking  at  midnight,  with  terror  ye  fill, 
As  though  ye  were  laden  with  tidings  of  ill. 
Ye  storm-winds  that  dismally  howl  o'er  the  deep, 
Seem  mourning  for  loved  ones  the  loving  must  weep. 
Ye  mutter,  O  north  winds,  of  ice-fettered  lands, 
Restraining  the  frolicsome  wave  with  your  bands, 
As  death  puts  to  silence  a  child's  harmless  glee 
Ere  echo  respond  to  its  laughter  so  free. 
Yet  kind  are  your  words  to  the  heat-stricken  soil, 
Dispelling  the  languor  from  wearisome  toil. 
Ah,  welcome  Zephyrus,  from  yon  favored  clime 
Where  Poesie's  triumphs  mock  old  Father  Time, 
While  chilled  are  our  spirits  by  pitiless  frost, 
Proclaim  to  us  visions  of  loveliness  lost. 
When  erst  to  Eolus  Ulysses  had  come, 
By  thee  was  he  gently  brought  back  to  his  throne; 


148  Miscellaneous. 

So  summon  the  Ithaca  fair  that  we  knew, 

Ere  faded  the  scenes  of  our  childhood  from  view : 

Let  tones  early  treasured  again  greet  the  ear, 

Oft  lending  a  smile  which  would  vanquish  a  tear. 

Let  once  more  the  mocking-bird  thrill  with  his  lay, 

Reminding  of  happiness,  not  long  to  stay, 

The  oriole  bring  with  its  beautiful  hue, 

Which  glows  like  the  heart  of  a  Southerner  true, 

Inviting  the  stranger  to  tarry  and  share 

His  board,  though  supplied  with  the  commonest  fare. 

The  voice  of  the  south  wind  speaks  peace  to  my  soul, 

A  life,  I  disclose  not,  its  accents  control, 

With  kindness  that  leads  me  to  more  pensive  hours, 

When  soothingly  floating  'mid  gardens  of  flowers. 

It  sweetly  retraces  fresh  days  that  were  mine, 

Where  grow  the  magnolia,  the  orange  and  vine. 


ON  PRESENTING  A  FLORAL  HORSESHOE 
TO  A  BRIDE. 

GOOD  luck  be  thine, — 
May  love  entwine 
Its  garlands  for  thy  life; 
May  iron  heel 
Ne'er  crush  thy  weal, 
In  guise  of  wedded  strife. 


Miscellaneous.  149 

As  fades  each  flower 

In  every  bower, 
So  beauty  droops  its  head ; — 

'Neath  love's  control, 

Peace  fills  the  soul 
When  youthful  charms  have  fled. 


NEVER  DESPAIR. 

NEVER  despair,  if  afar,  unalluring, 
The  heights  to  be  scaled  ere  the  shadows  descend ; 
Let  courage  be  instant,  thy  footstep  assuring, 

While  hope,  the  kind  handmaiden,  smiles  to  befriend. 

Never  despair,  if  when  livelihood  seeking, 
Or  honest  repute  in  profession  or  trade, 

Misfortune  with  direful  purposes  reeking, 

Thy  life-earnings  scatter,  thy  just  aims  invade. 

Never  despair,  if  when  bravely  contending 
For  freedom,  for  all  that  is  dear  to  the  soul, 

O'ercome  is  the  castle  of  truth  while  defending, 
The  cohorts  of  Belial  wresting  control. 

Never  despair,  if  the  church  or  the  nation 
Surrender  to  ignorance,  interest  or  fear, 

If  progress  expire  in  a  wide  desolation 

And  Dagon  and  Bel  in  each  temple  appear. 


j  50  Miscellaneous. 

Never  despair,  if  thy  good  should  be  doubted, 
Thy  toil  for  the  welfare  of  others  be  blamed, 

Thy  efforts  for  conscience  be  sneeringly  scouted, 
And  selfish,  deceitful,  thy  mission  be  named. 


Never  despair,  if  the  blight  of  some  illness 
Should  wither  the  dreamland  of  unfading  joy, 

If  pain,  never  ceasing,  monotonous  stillness, 

Through   wearisome  watchings  thy  peace  should 
destroy. 

Never  despair,  if  thy  pulse  be  declining, 
The  sands  of  existence  fast  passing  away, 

When,  too  late,  the  season  for  useless  repining, 
The  spirit  is  leaving  its  prison  of  clay. 

Never  despair,  if  thy  burden  seem  greater 
Than  man  can  endure  in  his  sensitive  mold, 

And  take  not,  but  cherish  that  life  the  Creator 
Bestowed  for  some  end  His  wise  counsels  enfold. 

Comfort  descends  from  hope's  fetterless  regions, 
From  martyrs  in  glory  through  echoing  air, 

Attested  by  throngs  of  beatified  legions — 

To  fainting  hearts  whispering — Never  despair. 


Miscellaneous. 


ON  THE   NEW  VERSION  OF  THE   SCRIPTURES. 

OH,  give  me  back  the  old  words, 
The  words  to  memory  dear, 
I  do  not  like  the  new  words, 

They  harshly  greet  the  ear ; 
I  love  the  words  my  mother  taught, 

In  voice  of  mildest  tone, 
As  borne  by  swift- winged  seraphs, 
They  went  up  to  the  throne. 

Oh,  give  me  back  the  old  words, 

In  school-room  heard  of  yore, 
Before  instruction's  round  began 

In  varied  tasks  of  lore ; — 
A  solace  when  the  book  was  read 

Within  the  house  of  prayer, 
When  pointed  out  the  strait  gate, 

And  shown  each  sinful  snare. 

Oh,  give  me  back  the  old  words 

Oft  uttered  on  the  wave, 
When,  'mid  the  storm's  commotion, 

I  felt  but  One  could  save ; 
My  eyelids  could  not  close  at  night 

Without  both  shame  and  fear, 
Unless  I  read  those  verses, 

Profound  and  yet  so  clear. 


1 5  2  Miscellaneous. 

Oh,  give  me  back  the  loved  words, 

Which  soothed  the  aching  brow, 
When  all  of  earth's  prescriptions 

No  healing  could  bestow  ; 
Upon  the  weary  couch  they  cheered 

When  filled  with  racking  pain ; 
'Mid  cruel  disappointment, 

When  life  seemed  dark  and  vain. 

Ere  dust  to  dust  be  spoken 

Above  the  gloomy  sod, 
And  upward  soars  my  spirit, 

To  reach  the  realms  of  God ; 
I  do  not  wish  a  different  phrase, 

From  that  oft  heard  before, 
As  through  the  aisle  so  hallowed 

Some  cherished  form  they  bore. 

If  creed  be  known  through  language, 

And  who  can  say  't  is  not, 
Then  should  those  well-known  symbols 

Forever  be  forgot  ? 
They  still  convey  the  buoyant  thought 

Of  angels  near  the  throne, 
The  light  to  mortals  given, 

Oppressed,  o'ercome,  alone. 

It  may  be  that  the  new  words 
Can  please  the  scholar-mind, 


Miscellaneous.  153 


But  in  the  old  revered  ones 
The  saving  truth  I  find. 

For  me  their  simple  Saxon  ring, 
Their  quaint  and  homely  power, 

Exceed  by  far  in  sweetness, 
This  fashion  of  the  hour. 


NO    NORTH,    NO    SOUTH. 

FROM  loving  lakes  that  seaward  flow 
To  golden  mines  of  Mexico, 
From  Eastern  mart  to  Western  coast 
'T  is  now  a  freeman's  honest  boast  — 

No  North,  no  South. 

The  wounds  are  healed  that  brothers  made 
From  Maine  to  tropic  everglade ; 
All  cold  suspicions  now  have  fled, 
Are  with  vindictive  embers  dead. 

No  North,  no  South. 

The  chain  in  which  the  slave  was  bound 
Clanks  not  with  harsh  unchristian  sound ; 
False  zeal  provoking  latent  strife 
No  longer  seeks  to  jeopard  life. 

No  North,  no  South. 

A  heavenly  voice  has  hushed  to  peace 
Where  warring  words  might  never  cease, 


1 54  Miscellaneous. 

By  raising  those  within  our  land 
Long  years  restrained  through  party's  band. 
No  North,  no  South. 

God  keeps  His  children  low  in  dust, 
To  purge  away  their  cankering  lust, — 
Then  kindly  lifts  to  joy  again 
When  wrong  succumbs  to  healthful  pain. 
No  North,  no  South. 

Avaunt  ye  lingering  ghouls  of  hate, 
Be  emulous  to  raise  the  State ; 
Revive  not  more  the  checkered  past, 
On  Lethe's  wave  dead  issues  cast. 

No  North,  no  South. 

An  hundred  years  have  fled  away, 
The  Country  stronger  day  by  day, 
For  't  is  not  man  that  gives  us  life, 
But  One  who  stills  convulsive  strife. 

No  North,  no  South. 

And  speed  the  cry — no  East,  no  West, — 
No  foreign  sway — nor  worst  nor  best — 
With  specious  wiles  shall  clog  the  stream 
Of  progress  towards  the  Nation's  dream. 
No  North,  no  South. 


Miscellaneous.  155 


REFINEMENT. 

FROM  God  is  given  a  human  frame 
To  intellect  allied,— 
And  means  by  which  to  mold  the  same, 

His  providence  supplied. 
He  chief  performs  creation's  will 

Who  treats  his  gifts  aright, 
Who  makes  them  all  their  parts  fulfill 

Till  growing  to  their  height. 
When  stern  utility  has  wrought, 

Refinement  claims  a  place, 
And  ceaseless  toils  till  powers  are  fraught, 

With  skillfulness  and  grace. 
Thus  man  like  some  strong  building  seems, 

Enduring  and  adorned, 
Or  like  a  beauteous  ship  whose  beams 

And  hull  for  strength  are  formed. 
Or  like  some  landscape  bold  and  smooth, 

With  rock  and  lake  and  sky, 
Which  speaking  use  and  beauty  soothe 

And  gratify  the  eye : 
He  needs  not  wealth  to  give  him  place, 

Or  favor  of  the  great : 
He  shines  an  honor  to  his  race, 

With  neither  gold  nor  state. 


156  Miscellaneous. 

EASTER  CAROL. 


T3EAUTEOUS  Easter  morn, 
J3  Roseate  beam  of  love, 
Brighten,  bless,  adorn, 

Smile  from  realms  above. 
Modest  opening  flower, 

Fragrant  greets  the  sky  ; 
Lift  us  by  thy  power, 

Vows  ascending  high ! 

CHORUS. 

Beauteous  Easter  morn, 
Roseate  beam  of  love, 

Brighten,  bless,  adorn, 
Smile  from  realms  above. 

ii 

Grant  relief  to  care, 

Cause  alarms  to  cease, 
Broken  lives  repair, 

Paint  the  bow  of  peace, 
Let  each  bond  be  rent, 

Envy  bid  depart, 
Give  the  poor  content, 

Move  the  churlish  heart. 


Miscellaneous.  157 

in 
Shine  'mid  household  gloom 

Ne'er  dispelled  before, 
Let  Emmanuel's  bloom 

Crown  each  pagan  shore : 
Till  forgiving  ray 

Gleam  above  the  rod, 
Roll  each  stone  away, 

Keeping  souls  from  God. 


MY    WORLD    WITHIN. 

I  HAVE  a  little  world  I  call  my  own, 
No  life  of  commonplace  can  claim  its  throne, 
Far,  far  aloof  from  ponderous  thought  or  care ; 
This  calm  retreat  an  angel  e'en  might  share ; 
Perchance  't  is  found  while  floating  o'er  the  sea, 
Where  dancing  waves  are  tossing  proud  and  free ; 
Or  else  't  is  known  when  I,  with  book  in  hand, 
Am  pensive  strolling  o'er  the  pebbly  sand. 
No  place,  no  occupation  may  conceal 
Enjoyment  which  its  treasured  haunts  reveal. 
Such  pleasant  refuge  is  within  my  mind, 
And  there  alone  this  little  world  I  find. 
Its  walks  serene,  no  poverty  may  reach, 
No  sheriff's  summons  cause  the  slightest  breach ; 
The  breath  of  scandal  or  the  sneer  of  fools, 
The  plots  of  knav'ry  with  its  shuffling  tools, — 


158  Miscellaneous. 

A  rival's  envy  or  the  rich  man's  gold 

Their  power  to  injure  here  no  longer  hold. 

Far  sooner  may  you  scale  the  azure  sky 

Than  touch  this  home  from  which  all  shadows  fly. 


CLOUDS. 

HOW  gently  they  float  on  the  still  twilight  air, 
In  forms  most  mysterious,  varied  and  rare  ; 
Now  draped  in  vermilion  or  dappled  in  gold, 
They  seem  all  emblazoned  with  riches  untold. 
At  midday  how  fleecily  sail  they  above, 
Like  good  angels  watching  in  silence  and  love. 
How  densely  they  hover  enshrouding  the  steep, 
As  tempests  arise  in  their  furious  sweep ; 
And  when  the  deep  thunderings  cease  to  dismay, 
How  quickly  they  break  'neath  the  gladdening  ray. 
This  world  is  a  radiant  world  to  our  sight ; 
Still,  many  a  jetty  cloud  shuts  out  its  light, 
But  glories  will  deck  e'en  the  shadows  most  drear, 
And  make  God's  inscrutable  providence  clear; 
And  when  towards  life's  evening  the  sun  sinks  to  rest, 
A  bow  will  illumine  the  beautiful  west. 


Miscellaneous.  159 

LIVE    IT    DOWN. 

HAS  a  foolish  word  been  spoken, 
Or  an  evil  deed  been  done ; 
Has  the  heart  been  almost  broken, 

For  the  friends  that  now  disown  ? 
Let  not  coldness  or  the  frown, 
Shake  thy  manhood  —  live  it  down. 

Is  the  stern  traducer  sneering, 

Thrusting  innuendo  vile, 
With  the  world's  opinion  veering, 

Basking  in  its  fickle  smile  ? 
What  are  gossips  with  their  frown  ? 
Buzzing  insects  —  live  it  down. 

Verdict  fairer  will  be  given, 

In  the  sober  afterthought ; 
Charity,  sweet  child  of  Heaven, 

Judgment  harsh  will  set  at  naught ; 
Then  will  grieved  Mercy's  frown 
Smite  the  slanderer  —  live  it  down. 

But  if  man  refuse  to  soften, 

For  that  weakness  he  may  feel, 
There  is  One  forgives  us  often, 

As  to  Him  we  choose  to  kneel ; 
Droop  not  then  whoe'er  may  frown ; 
With  such  friendship  —  live  it  down. 


1 60  Miscellaneous. 


STANLEY'S   MARCH. 

rTAHE  muse  that  lifts  immortal  strain  to  pure  emprise 
J_     and  manly 
Across   the   wave   a   tribute   sends   to   note  thy  genius, 

Stanley ! 
As  history  will  grave  thy  name  with  those  that  never 

perish, 
So  poesy  reserves  her  right  thy  signal  deeds  to  cherish. 


The  press  fulfilled  its  mission  high  when  choosing  thee  to 

banish 
The  shades  enshrouding  Afric's  waste  which  at  thy  spell 

must  vanish. 

To  ope  the  way  for  Christian  light,  revealing  civic  power, 
To  plant  upon  the  serpent's  head  the  heel,  is  now  thy 

dower. 

The  mantle  of  a  Livingstone,  that  master,  is  upon  thee, 
Reconsecrated  for  thy  work,  his  spirit  grand  hath  won 

thee. 
Increasing   motive   presses   close   to   make    thy   purpose 

stronger, 
Till  thou  to  meet  thy  life's  intent  canst  seek  the  goal  no 

longer. 


Miscellaneous.  1 6 1 

Bold  Stanley,  on  —  complete   the   task   denned  by  One 

above  thee, 
Of  science  thou  hast  fondest  wish,  the  prayers  of  those 

that  love  thee. 

Whatever  be  the  coronal  from  earth's  award  receiving, 
Thy  sense  of  aid  from  God's  right  arm  a  deathless  crown 

is  weaving. 


ii 


LATER   POEMS. 


LATER  POEMS. 

* 

OTONDA. 

AN   INDIAN    STORY. 

)T  long  ago,  by  some  now  living  seen,  there 

grew  a  child, 
Adorning  like  a  flower  or  bird  or  laughing  rill, 

a  wild. 
His  hair  as  raven  plumage  black,  and  arrowy  straight,  fell 

o'er 
An  ample  brow,  whose  outline  grand  the  look  of  genius 

wore ; 

And  honesty  informed  an  eye  that  braved  the  face  of  day, 
Though  dreamy  as  the  mist  at  times  and  soft  as  moonlight 

ray. 

More  agile  scarce  when  climbing  steep  the  lithe  and  bound- 
ing roe 

165 


1 66  Later  Poems. 

Than  he,  nor  yet  more  graceful  as  he  learned  to  bend  the 

bow. 

In  treaty  for  a  plot  of  land,  its  boundary  to  describe, 
A  white  man  entertainment  shared  from  members  of  his 

tribe. 

Attracted  by  the  presence  of  this  charming  Indian  boy, 
He  wished  to  make  him  as  his  own,  in  ways  of  peace 

employ ; 

Would  place  him  'neath  the  influence  of  tutelage  in  town, 
Where  culture  and  example  good  might  lift  him  to  renown, 
That  like  some  tree  from  roughness  hewn  for  purposes  of  art, 
He  might,  when  trimmed  and  polished,  serve  to  fill  a 

nobler  part 

Than  that  a  forest  training  offered,  incomplete  the  best, 
That  aimed  at  skill  in  hunting  or  for  gory  scalps  in  quest. 
Through  suavity  and  argument,  made  cogent  by  its  style, 
The  white  man  tried  from  darkness  this  young  pagan  to 

beguile ; 

He  sketched  a  glowing  picture  of  the  city  where  he  dwelt, 
He  spoke  of  toys,  confections,  as  adroit  his  way  he  felt, 
Exciting  fancies  dormant  in  an  undeveloped  soul, 
As  wood  ignited  soon  affects  the  hard  and  stolid  coal ; 
And  as  the  coal  when  once  alive  sends  forth  intenser  heat, 
Ambition,  first  unmoved,  his  heart  with  inspiration  beat. 


The  child  thus  led  to  follow  him,  consent  his  parents  gave, 
In  hopes  to  see  their  favorite  among  the  whites  a  brave  — 
Presuming  that  as  time  rolled  on  to  honor  he  would  rise, 
Which  prejudice  would  flee  before  like  tears  that  friendship 
dries, 


Later  Poems.  167 

Reflecting  that  they  both  ere  long  must  reach  life's  setting 

sun, 
While  he  whose  happiness  they  sought,  its  course  had  just 

begun. 
They  knew  this  stranger  well,  that  always  friendly  to  their 

race 

Whate'er  he  promised  to  perform  no  treachery  would  efface, 
That  kindness  was  a  lodestar  of  his  head  and  of  his  heart, 
Which  rendered  them  more  willing  with  their  child  beloved 

to  part. 

Hence  fervid  benedictions  by  the  aged  pair  were  given, 
Protectorship  invoking  that  proceeds  alone  from  Heaven, 
Displaying  such  affection  as  in  man  or  beast  is  found, 
The  sacred  tie  of  earth  —  whereby  celestials  too  are  bound. 

To  a  different  sphere  Otonda  went 

From  the  one  he  left  behind; 

'T  was  a  world  of  nature  parted  with, 

For  a  world  by  man  designed ; 

An  adieu  he  bade  to  storm-lashed  cliffs, 

Where  I  Am  speaks  through  the  cloud 

E'en  above  where  eagles  build  their  nests 

Which  defy  the  plundering  crowd; 

From  the  awe-inspiring  cataract's  roar 

And  the  brooklet's  tuneful  play, 

And  the  hunting-ground  his  fathers  roamed, 

A  preserve  of  choicest  prey. 

He  must  leave  profuse  enameling  flowers, 

And  the  only  friends  he  knew; 

Yea,  a  home  —  at  least  a  home  to  him 

With  a  love  at  all  times  true. 


1 68  Later  Poems. 

And  for  what  exchange  such  haunts  endeared, 

Intertwined  with  earliest  thought  ? 

Upon  what  could  boyish  interest  live, 

When  apart  from  scenes  inwrought  ? 

Upon  nature  cramped  to  senseless  whim, 

To  the  school  of  fashion  tamed, 

Her  unique  proportions  scarce  discerned, 

By  the  latest  edict  maimed, 

Where  reduced  to  cold  repression's  will, 

Unallowed  to  speak  one's  self, 

The  emotions  full  of  import  large 

Are  like  books  upon  a  shelf. 

For  a  range  where  none  his  steps  controlled 

Through  the  almost  boundless  halls, 

He  must  live  confined  where  drooping  forms 

Are  empaled  by  city  walls. 

For  endurance  born  of  simplest  fare, 

Undisturbed  by  heat  or  cold, 

He  must  yield  to  softness  luxury  breeds, 

That  like  serpent  coils  enfold. 

He  must  risk  disease  from  slightest  cause, 

As  from  sparks  the  fires  that  rage, 

Where  more  quick  ensue,  from  lust  and  wine, 

The  infirmities  of  age ; 

Though  in  reach  of  pleasures  most  men  crave, 

There  must  often  be  unrest 

For  the  natal  sports  in  fatherland, 

For  the  free  and  open  West. 

In  time  the  boy  was  taught  to  bear 
His  strange  conditions  through  the  care 


Later  Poems.  169 

And  kindness  of  his  guardians  new, 

Their  guidance  gentle  as  the  dew. 

To  him  the  white  man's  wife  was  drawn, 

Whose  love  went  forth  like  sun  at  dawn, 

To  brighten  until  noonday  glow, 

As  constant  as  the  river's  flow. 

To  wedded  ones  who  ne'er  have  known 

A  child  to  bless  the  hours  lone, 

If  such  be  sent,  though  alien  born, 

A  void  to  fill  in  household  lorn, 

'T  is  like  some  timely  balm  that  heals, 

From  unexpected  source  secured ; 

Within  unfathomed  depths  it  steals, 

Awakening  yearnings  long  immured. 

Her  husband,  who  Otonda  brought, 

And  she  were  not  with  children  blessed ; 

With  joyousness  they  both  were  fraught 

In  finding  this  congenial  guest. 

Years  gone,  the  youth  forgot  the  past ; 
'T  was  like  a  dream  that  could  not  last, 
Like  tales  within  the  wigwam  told, 
Departed  memories  of  old. 
As  portion  of  the  native  stock 
At  length  becomes  the  engrafted  bough, 
As  molecule  is  changed  to  rock, 
He  seemed  his  race  to  disavow. 


Up  springs  the  lark  from  rustling  brake, 
Alert  ambitious  flight  to  take ; 


170  Later  Poems. 

Thus  mind  in  him  essayed  to  rise, 

And  revel  in  expanding  skies. 

He  soon  had  scope  —  for,  sent  to  school, 

The  Indian  by  line  and  rule 

Began  a  course  —  some  post  to  fill 

In  future  years  through  book-taught  skill. 

The  foremost  'mid  the  ranks  he  moved 

In  education's  steady  march. 

To  others  dark  —  to  him  't  was  light, 

Perceiving  through  acumen  born, 

Transmitted  by  ancestral  life, 

Where  dissipation  ne'er  disturbed 

The  healthful  tide  of  nature's  law. 

He  mastered  Greek  and  Latin  roots, 

At  figures  showed  rare  cleverness, 

Wrote  lucidly  with  flowing  pen, 

Declaimed  with  dignity  and  ease ; 

He  also,  in  athletic  sports, 

Showed  muscle  of  resistless  force ; 

In  agonistic  strife  he  reached 

A  gladiatorial  mastery, 

Each  triumph  toned  by  humbleness. 

Successful  thus,  't  were  passing  strange 
Had  Envy  prompt,  delinquent  proved. 
On  such  occasion  wide  awake, 
Like  Satan  she  appeared  at  last, 
With  forked  tongue  ablaze  with  wrath. 
The  tawny  skin  and  savage  birth 
Were  stimulant  to  vent  her  spleen. 


Later  Poems.  171 

Professing  him  beneath  contempt, 

Out-distanced  schoolmates  oft  reviled. 

They  taunted  him  with  stinging  words, 

Which  more  than  blows  will  sometimes  wound ; 

Like  Joseph's  brethren  in  league, 

Would  e'en  have  killed  had  fear  allowed. 

Assured  by  patience,  one  more  rash 

The  hated  rival  rudely  struck. 

At  this  the  fury  of  his  race 

Shot  forth  with  leonine  effect ; 

With  nerve  sustained  by  anger  pent, 

His  every  blow  with  vigor  told. 

The  leaders  felled,  a  panic  spread, 

Which  scattered  all  as  flee  the  alarmed 

When  bursts  the  dreaded  thunderbolt. 

Ere  long  the  dastard  spirit,  cowed, 

Was  changed  to  fawning  compliment; 

And  he,  so  envied  and  abused, 

A  Hector  or  Achilles  seemed. 

The  admiration  secret  felt 

Was  lavished  on  their  conqueror ; 

And  as  the  harrow  breaks  the  sod 

And  smooths  the  ground  for  planting  seed, 

With  bristling  onslaught  he  subdued 

The  roughness  of  his  future  path. 

And  as  the  harrow  fits  the  soil 

Most  hard  for  seed  to  germinate, 

Good  seed  he  caused  to  root,  and  grow 

The  fruits  of  wisdom,  'mongst  his  foes  — 


172  Later  Poems. 

Beyond  all  cavil  difference  taught 
'Twixt  blustering  and  bravery. 


The  youth,  advanced  from  school,  to  college  went, 

On  higher  education  eager  bent ; 

Its  elements  inwrought,  he  waxed  athirst 

In  knowledge  more  recondite  to  be  versed ; 

From  Virgil,  Xenophon,  and  Cicero, 

To  Plato,  Livy,  Homer  would  he  go. 

'T  were  needless  in  collegiate  course  to  say 
He  foremost  stood,  as  in  the  earlier  day. 
If  character  on  principle  be  placed, 
Its  well-known  record  never  is  effaced, 
Whate'er  detraction  loudly  may  proclaim 
In  futile  effort  to  obscure  a  name; 
But  most  when  principle  is  guided  by 
That  light  which  shines  beyond  the  visual  eye. 

When  time  had  elapsed  to  receive  his  degree, 
On  the  stage  he  was  chosen  to  speak ; 
An  honor  he  honored  whom  all  pressed  to  see, 
As  though  he  were  wizard  or  freak. 

Most  glaring  injustice  imposed  on  his  race, 
The  subject  of  rostrum  or  pen, 
In  romance  was  written,  discussed  in  each  place, 
Resounding  from  city  and  glen. 


Later  Poems.  173 

Appropriate  subject  he  culled  for  his  theme 
Was  treatment  the  Indian  incurred, 
Where  compact  accepted,  when  candid 't  would  seem, 
Agreement  was  only  in  word.  • 

"  The  white  man/'  he  said, 
"  Has  depleted  our  tribes ; 

From  fastness  to  fastness  they  're  banished. 

Immense  tracts  are  ceded  for  trivial  return, 

Our  lawful  inheritance  vanished. 

"  Our  women  and  children  a  holocaust  made 
To  suit  the  fierce  Moloch  of  battle, 
Affrighting  the  timid,  the  feeble,  the  halt, 
We  are  robbed  of  our  crops  and  our  cattle. 

"  The  poison  of  alcohol  sold  in  our  midst 
Has  opened  worse  sluices  of  sorrow. 
This  curse  of  the  pale-face,  its  illness  and  crime, 
From  those  who  destroy  us  we  borrow. 

"  Do  war-whoop  and  tomahawk  frighten  your  homes, 
Dread  ambuscade  soldiers  surprising  ? 
As  tiger  beset  in  the  jungle  at  bay, 
Defense  must  be  shrewd  in  devising." 

When  finished,  an  ocean-calm  spread  o'er  the  crowd, 
Whose  silence  awhile  was  unbroken ; 
Applause  then,  like  ocean's  roar  waked  by  the  storm, 
Of  feeling  profound  was  the  token. 


174  Later  Poems. 

Of  those  who  comprised  the  assembly  that  day 
Was  one  who  belonged  to  his  people ; 
With  war-paint  and  snake-rattle,  plumage  and  beads, 
O'er  most  there  he  towered  like  a  steeple. 

For  leagues  had  he  traveled  Otonda  to  find, 
Directed  to  where  he  was  speaking ; 
Whom,  when  he  perceived,  with  a  wish  to  upbraid 
His  spirit  tumultuous  was  reeking. 

When  all  were  retiring,  each  duty  performed, 
Came  forward  the  wrath-smitten  stranger ; 
He  greeted  the  hero,  who  sprang  from  his  tribe, 
With  a  look  and  a  voice  full  of  danger. 

Remembering  the  tongue  which  he  spoke  as  a  child, 

The  import  of  words  now  ejected 

The  civilized  son  of  the  forest  discerned, 

His  slumbering  nature  affected. 

"  You  've  left  us,  though  bloodhounds  have  scented 

our  trail, 

Deserted  a  father  and  mother ; 
With  war-notes  resounding,  the  enemy  near, 
You  're  far  from  your  post,"  spake  the  other. 

"  The  time  must  arrive  when  the  white  man  will  change 
Toward  one  a  mere  plaything  of  humor ; 
Detested  our  race,  he  will  cast  you  aside, 
At  spur  of  a  whim  or  a  rumor. 


Later  Poems.  175 

Break  loose  from  encumbrances  none  should  endure. 
From  chains  in  which  falsehood  has  bound  you ; 
Be  free  once  again  where  great  forests  invite 
Unmortgaged  dominion  around  you." 

Impressed  by  such  rally  to  duty,  and  dreams 
Of  hopes  he  had  weakly  forsaken, 
And  ennuied  by  customs  till  lately  unknown, 
Advice  of  the  stranger  was  taken. 

Within  his  breast  a  conflict  raged 
Like  good  and  evil  in  the  soul, 
His  Christian  nurture  first  prevailed, 
Then  wilder  impulse  had  control. 

Another  Indian  not  unlike, 
Who  high  a  West  Point  graduate  stood, 
When  once  a  soldier  in  the  field 
Evinced  the  native  thirst  for  blood. 

Amid  the  strife  his  war-whoop  rang, 
Which  startled  comrades  standing  by ; 
And  scalps  from  enemies  secured 
With  gloating  joy  he  lifted  high. 

It  grieved  him  sore  to  bid  farewell 
To  foster-parents  loved  as  kind, 
Who  pointed  to  the  endless  life, 
Supplanting  base  idolatry. 
He  sadly  turned  from  those  who  gave 
The  mental  appetite  its  food, 


176  Later  Poems. 

Whose  hunger  met  has  decked  the  world 
With  stars  of  magnitude  the  first, 
And  breaks  the  chain  of  slavery, 
Which  taint  of  birth,  ignoble,  mocks, 
Unclogging  evolution's  wheel, 
As  tireless  as  the  chariot  steeds 
Wherewith  Aurora  brings  the  morn. 

At  fiat  spoken  tears  were  shed 

By  those  who  long  had  called  him  son; 

They  told  him  should  his  purpose  change 

Complexion  from  its  dismal  hue, 

And  retrogressive  step  repair 

To  haunts  that  now  had  lost  their  hold, 

He  ne'er  should  find  the  threshold  frown 

As  he  approached ;  but  open  arms 

Would  greet  the  absent  one,  as  though 

Unslighted,  tender  guardianship. 

From  civilized  restraint  set  free, 

Otonda  hied  to  whence  he  came, 

The  place  he  deemed  as  once  't  was  known, 

Illumined  by  his  fancy's  flame. 

Thus  oft  we  gild  our  childhood's  haunts 

When  years  have  shut  them  from  our  view, 

Forgetting  that  the  earlier  taste 

Was  vastly  different  from  the  new. 

The  Mississippi  broad  they  passed, 

The  buttonwood  upon  its  bank, 

In  midst  of  thickest  forest  plunged, 


Later  Poems.  177 

And  waded  through  the  morass  dank ; 
O'er  prairies  trod,  the  Rockies  neared, 
Where  grouse  and  buffalo  defied 
The  hunter's  bullet  from  the  East, 
Where  sportsman's  skill  was  seldom  tried. 
At  last  the  curling  smoke  betrayed 
The  hut  of  aborigines, 
Where  venison  dried  and  calumet 
And  arrowhead  one  often  sees. 


Otonda  to  his  people  came, 
But  far  their  wigwams  were  removed- 
Supplanted  by  progression's  foot, 
He  missed  the  places  first  he  knew. 
He  saw  in  early  crudeness  man, 
Primeval,  scarcely  touched  by  art, 
Not  half-way  in  development, 
But  seeming  almost  at  the  start. 

Before  him  hung  the  spoils  of  war, 
A  gruesome  show  on  every  side, 
The  silken  locks  once  careful  dressed 
By  maiden  or  by  luckless  bride. 

Uncouth  the  habits  that  prevailed 
In  food,  in  person,  in  attire ; 
Long  used  to  ways  of  cleanliness, 
He  shrank  with  loathing  at  the  mire. 

12 


178  Later  Poems. 

Not  told  by  comrade  reticent,  he  learned 
His  father  and  his  mother  both  were  gone 
Before  the  fullness  "of  last  August's  moon, 
Earth's  destiny  attained — their  work  was  done. 


A  sadness  overcame  his  deep  disgust — 
For  they  to  him  were  parents  sealed  by  blood ; 
Harsh  death  his  purpose  mocked  —  to  smooth  the  way 
Ere  life's  canoe  had  reached  its  final  flood. 

What  fellowship  hath  Christ  with  Belial, 

Or  darkness,  error's  friend,  with  virtue's  light  ? 

Can  two  together  walk  except  agreed  ? 

Have  birds  of  plumage  different,  common  flight  ? 

His  every  feeling  militant  forbade 

Communion  with  such  grossness  unrestrained; 

Yet  while  a  dissonance  so  marked  he  felt, 

Otonda  pitying  friendship  still  retained. 

The  student  fresh  from  his  scholastic  walks, 
By  intercourse  select,  refined, 
Not  bred  to  sleep  at  last  'mong  Indian  mounds — 
For  Academic  groves  far  distant  pined. 


The  bond  of  parentage  by  death  dissolved, 
Removing  every  hindrance  to  his  bent, 
A  voice  within  intruded  on  repose 
Until  returning  was  his  sole  intent. 


Later  Poems.  179 

Not  many  days  remaining  with  his  tribe, 
Of  whom  but  few  in  childhood  he  had  known, 
He  rode  upon  the  wing  of  buoyant  hope 
To  reap  the  harvest  that  his  toil  had  sown. 

And  going  where  adoption's  lessened  power 
Was  shaken  by  a  red  man's  fervid  plea, 
Adoption  re-arose  in  pristine  strength, 
As  will  relented  in  a  like  degree. 

The  throbbing  breast  of  love  that  never  fails 
Increased  its  largess  as  attachment  grew ! 
And  him,  by  absence  only  nearer  brought, 
Its  yielding  tenderness  the  closer  drew. 

Delighted  guardians  welcomed  his  return, 
And  thus  fulfilled  their  promise  ere  he  left. 
Each  token  in  his  room  remained  the  same, 
As  though  of  him  they  ne'er  had  been  bereft. 

Desiring  some  vocation  to  pursue, 
Nor  wishing  on  indulgence  to  depend, 
Among  the  liberal  three,  the  law  his  choice, 
Agreeable  to  wish  and  mental  trend. 

Deciding  thus,  instruction  he  received 
'Neath  guidance  of  a  well-known  advocate, 
Who  as  the  sun  makes  earth  to  fructify 
Did  he  this  budding  mind  accelerate. 


180  Later  Poems. 

He  mastered  Chitty,  Coke  and  Story,  Kent ; 
Dry  documents  could  draw,  and  learned  to  moot : 
In  Cupid's  court  he  also  proved  adept, 
O'erruled  demurrer  and  pressed  on  his  suit. 

The  daughter  of  the  lawyer  waked  the  flame 
That  kindled  feeling  unaroused  before, 
Whose  golden  curls  and  tender  eyes  of  blue 
A  contrast  to  his  dusky  visage  bore. 

Affection  sought  and  found  a  hidden  spell 
Its  potency  unveiled  by  look  or  speech ; 
It  found  a  heaven-breathing  sentiment 
That  alien  effort  could  not  mar  nor  reach. 

He  saw  companionship  for  leisure  hours 

When  care  like  withered  leaves  from  thoughts  we 

shake, 

He  saw  companionship  for  troubled  hours 
With  everything  we  hold  most  dear  at  stake. 

In  mood  poetic  he  composed  these  lines, 
Descriptive  of  impression  she  had  made  : 
Accompanied  by  notes  of  the  guitar, 
They  oft  had  charmed  when  falls  the  evening  shade. 

SONG. 

"  I  IOVE  thee  for  thy  beaming  eye, 
Thy  thrilling  voice,  thy  smile ; 
But  better  far  I  love  thee,  dear, 
For  words  that  ne'er  beguile. 


Later  Poems.  181 

"  I  love  thee  for  the  tresses  which 
Thy  brow  serene  enwreath, 
But  ah,  my  soul  receives  delight 
From  thoughts  so  pure  beneath. 

"  I  love  thee  for  thy  artlessness, 
The  graces  of  thy  form ; 
But  much  more  for  a  spirit  true 
In  sunshine  and  in  storm. 

"  I  love  thee  for  the  quiet  joy 
Thy  presence  doth  impart, 
But  most  I  prize  thee  for  that  gem  — 
A  woman's  faithful  heart." 


He  that  weds  for  heart  and  mind 
True  happiness  is  sure  to  find ; 
He  that  only  beauty  woos 
Will  learn  that  love  is  blind. 
When  entrapped  by  coin  alone, 
The  bread  he  asks  becomes  a  stone ; 
If  pomp  and  state  the  nuptial  aim, 
He  chance  may  win  an  empty  name. 
A  kingdom  but  a  bauble  seems 
With  such  a  cheating  fate ; 
Far  better  unknown  peasant's  lot 
Who  dwells  in  neat  and  humble  cot 
Contented  with  his  mate. 


1 82  Later  Poems. 

As  sculpture  lends  to  marble  cold 
A  grace  that  wins  approving  eye, 
So  two  with  love,  though  lot  obscure, 
May  beauty  know  that  cannot  die. 

Alas !  the  current  of  a  tide 

Is  changed  in  unexpected  ways ; 

When  smoothest  flows  the  joyous  stream, 

Some  wildering  storm  its  promise  stays. 

Otonda,  more  than  blessed  thus  far, 
His  pathway  purpled  o'er  by  hope, 
Must  learn  how  vain  is  fortune's  dream, 
How  truthless  earthly  horoscope. 

In  time  he  sought  the  father's  ear, 
Petitioned  for  the  daughter's  hand, 
Well  knowing  suit  but  null  and  void 
Unless  approved  by  his  command. 

A  frown  spread  o'er  the  parent's  brow 
When  the  suggestion  first  was  made  — 
Though  fault  in  him  he  could  not  tell, 
He  thought  such  union  would  degrade. 

A  blank  refusal  was  received ; 

It  gave  an  unexpected  shock, — 

An  arrow  driven  in  his  breast 

Could  scarce  more  rude  his  feelings  mock. 


Later  Poems.  183 

The  lawyer  to  Otonda  said  : 
"  Take  cordial  wishes  for  success — 
At  home  or  at  your  work  engaged, 
May  Providence  your  pathway  bless. 

"  Of  different  race  from  mine  you  came, 
By  courtesy  with  us  you  dwell; 
If  wedded  to  my  daughter — now 
T  were  ill  —  the  future  who  could  tell  ?  " 

'T  was  not  alone  refusal  given 

In  words  so  terrible  to  hear, 

'T  was  slur  upon  his  origin 

That  brake  most  harshly  on  his  ear : 

That  effort  would  in  vain  attempt 
Race  prejudice  to  keep  at  bay, 
The  castle  he  had  fondly  built 
Must  'neath  its  fury  melt  away. 

He  felt,  though  innocent,  a  brand 
Like  Cain's  was  stamped  upon  his  brow, 
That  shunned  and  hated,  though  admired, 
To  man's  unfairness  he  must  bow. 


Half  crazed,  he  westward  turned  his  face, 
And  soon  was  lost  amid  the  wood ; 
For  days  and  nights  he  scarcely  paused 
Till  near  a  river  vast  he  stood. 


184  Later  Poems. 

Then  gazing  on  those  waters  dark, 
Beneath  whose  depths  De  Soto  sleeps, 
One  plunge  he  made  —  a  great  soul  gone, 
Until  his  just  award  he  reaps. 

So  hearts  may  break  and  men  may  die 
Through  blows  of  brutal  ignorance ; 
But  love  will  live  and  cannot  lie, 
Though  hard  and  sad  the  sweet  romance. 

T  were  idle  to  portray  her  grief 
Who  longest  must  its  draught  imbibe ; 
'T  is  said  that,  crushed,  she  found  relief 
In  self-devotion  to  his  tribe. 

But  let  us  turn  from  minor  key 
And  harp  upon  more  pleasant  theme ; 
Awake  from  sloth,  Philanthropy, 
Cheer  up,  advance  thy  favored  scheme. 

For  now  Minerva  walks  abroad, 
And  bloody  Mars  lays  down  his  sword ; 
The  race  a  Pocahontas  bred 
By  Christian  hands  is  gently  led. 

Atlantic  and  Pacific  tides 
Lave  shores  where  not,  as  once,  abides 
Race  prejudice;  and  all  may  see 
By  mind  is  measured  dignity. 


Later  Poems.  185 

Behold !  a  camp-fire  cheerful  burns 

To  cheat  the  darkness  and  the  chilliness  of  night, 

As,  in  a  world  of  gloom  from  sin 

And  superstition  shrouding  truth,  beams  gospel  light. 

The  wigwam  stately  palace  shames, 

Which  small  may  satisfy  a  humble  mortal's  wish ; 

And  game,  the  mark  of  huntsman's  skill, 

Is  wide  bestrewn  —  no  richer  on  Lucullus'  dish. 

Grotesque  are  seen  in  gay  attire 

The  red  man  and  his  squaw  with  slumbering  papoose — 

The  halo  of  religion  o'er, 

Uplifting  from  the  slough  of  moral  notions  loose. 

And  as  the  queen  of  night  that  shines 

To  gladden  and  to  beautify  'mid  moving  spheres  — 

Like  Dorcas  or  like  Lydia, 

Our  heroine,  exhorting  them,  a  saint  appears. 

Be  calm  thy  rest,  Otonda,  then, 

As  depth  of  Mississippi  on  a  genial  day ; 

Thy  mission  is  fulfilled  in  her 

Whose  soul  is  thine,  although  thy  image  be  away. 


1 86  Later  Poems. 


THE  LION'S  FEAST. 

'TNHE  lion,  famed  as  king  of  beasts, —  the  noblest  of  them 
1    all,— 

Will  yet,  as  oft  with  royalty,  play  tricks  both  great  and  small ; 
Nay,  sometimes  like  grimalkin,  if  intent  upon  his  prey, 
So  slyly  steal  along  that  none  suspect  him  in  the  way. 

He  sent  an  invitation  once  to  animals  around, 
Requesting  they  would  feast  within  his  palace  under  ground. 
Most  flattering !    They  could  share  such  spoils  as  princely 

thieves  can  boast, 
While  their  rapacious  enemy  would  smile,  a  gentle  host ! 

This  courtesy  by  most  of  them  was  joyfully  received : 
If  dubious  the  motive,  his  professions  they  believed. 
The  fox,  and  other  knowing  ones,  refused  a  lion's  dish : 
They  felt  a  chill  suspicion  of  design  beneath  his  wish. 

Complacent  was  the  forest's  lord  at  progress  of  his  scheme, 
Most  carefully  dissembled  lest  murder  it  might  seem ; 
So  low  was  now  his  larder  that  few  fragments  were  at  hand, 
While  thus  supply  might  be  obtained  —  the  choicest  in  the 
land. 


Later  Poems.  187 

Down  went  the  guileless  quadrupeds  to  dine  in  regal  state, 
Not  thinking  that  their  carcasses  his  appetite  would  sate : 
The  donkey,  rabbit,  mole,  the  deer,  the  sloth,  the  goat, 

the  sheep  — 
A  jocund  party,  in  his  lair  high  festival  to  keep  ! 

Most  affable  yet  dignified,  he  greeted  every  guest, 
As  one  by  one  they  filed  along  to  answer  his  behest. 
He  looked  a  kind  approval,  but  his  teeth  were  shown 

quite  plain  — 
They  trembled,  though  he  did  not  roar,  but  merely  shook 

his  mane. 

Among  them  soon  a  panic  spread,  perceiving  no  repast, 
But,  freely  scattered,  well-picked  bones,  that  made  them 

stand  aghast. 

Invectives  at  their  foe  they  hurled,  deluded  by  a  snare — 
His  lamb-like  mood  accounted  for,  his  infamy  laid  bare. 

The  lion  'mid  their  obloquy  would  justify  his  end, 

A  plot  most  diabolical  audaciously  defend ; 

With  sophistry  expounded  why  he  bade  them  to  his 

cave. 
Where  all,  at  mercy  of  his  will,  were  far  from  chance  to 

save. 

"  E'en  animal  most  virtuous,"  said  he,  "  would  act  the  same 
As  I  have  done,  if  hungry  and  enticed  by  tempting  game. 
To  stratagem  resorting  also  you  your  prey  secure  — 
No  crookedness  a  hindrance,  if  to  catch  it  feeling  sure. 


1 88  Later  Poems. 

"  Besides,  I  am  the  King  of  beasts,  who,  when  the  ground 

I  paw 
And  lift  my  voice,  can  hold  the  trembling  forest  leaves 

in  awe : 

'Tis  also  my  prerogative,  unquestioned  autocrat, 
To  treat  my  subjects  as  I  please  —  from  elephant  to  rat. 


"As  man  alone  inferior  creation  may  control, 
Thus  lord  of  life  and  death  to  all  dependents  I  am  sole. 
Moreover,  executioner  who  law's  demand  exalts, 
Offenders  I  destroy  whene'er  debased  by  hopeless  faults." 


At  which  bold  speech  his  victims,  rendered  desperate  by 

fear, 

Essayed  most  ardent  pleas  to  urge — a  grim  tribunal  near: 
Although  perchance  aware  that  they  were  hoping  against 

hope, 
Yet  protestation  offered  they,  within  permissive  scope. 


The  donkey  spoke :  "  Please  name  some  cause  why  I 

should  be  destroyed  — 
A  burden-bearer,  scolded,  whipped,  pray  whom  have 

I  annoyed  ?  " 
"  O  stupid  creature,"  said  the  lion,  "  neither  coaxed  nor 

driven ; 
With  pointed  steel,  despite  your  bray,  your  vitals  should 

be  riven." 


Later  Poems.  189 

With  tearful  eye  his  purity  the  graceful  deer  averred, 
Whose  eloquence,  with  longing  tooth,  the  Judge  reluc- 
tant heard. 
*  Weak  fop,"  he  said,  "  in  love  with  self,  reflected  in  the 

brook, 

Such  emptiness  decides  your  fate,  though  guileless  you 
may  look." 

No  word  they  uttered  could  avail  to  check  his  bloody  task ; 
And  all  of  them,  disheartened,  ceased  his  clemency  to  ask. 
Not  long  before  the  King  began  his  subjects  each  to  slay, 
The  average  amounting  to  one  animal  per  day. 

Much  royal  condescension  is  mistrusted  by  the  wise ; 
While  simpletons  are  soon  entrapped,  as  by  the  spider  flies. 
The  lion,  as  of  right,  will  always  keep  a  lion's  share  — 
To  suit  his  savage  purposes,  his  hapless  victims  tear. 

So  demagogue  political  will  feign  a  savory  feast, 
Inviting  his  constituents,  with  cunning  like  this  beast ; 
Or  wily  mining  expert,  with  his  billion  corporate  stock, 
Inflate  a  golden  bubble  till  it  burst  with  bankrupt-shock ; 

Or  delegate  in  purple  oft — though  workmen  be  in  rags  — 
Call  out  his  Knights  of  Labor,  to  supply  his  money-bags. 
Well  fed  upon  a  stipend,  he  can  laugh  within  his  sleeve, 
As  Folly  strikes  for  Slavery,  while  wives  and  children 
grieve. 


190 


Later  Poems. 


A  WORD. 

NO  word  is  lost  when  once  't  is  spoken, 
But  echoes  on  the  air ; 
Although  to  fragments  sometimes  broken, 

Its  sound  can  naught  impair. 
It  travels  to  remotest  regions, 

A  spirit  of  unrest, 
Companion  of  the  vocal  legions 
Like  birds  without  a  nest. 

A  word  may  make  the  culprit  tremble, 

And  bid  his  color  flee, 
When  judge  and  jury  grave  assemble 

And  "  guilty  "  the  decree. 
A  word  may  make  the  saddened  cheerful 

When  held  in  durance  vile  : 
If  pardon  be  proclamed,  the  tearful 

No  longer  weep,  but  smile. 

When  overcome  by  anxious  feeling, 

Long  tossed  upon  the  deep, 
If  "  land  "  from  one  aloft  be  pealing 

Our  fears  are  put  to  sleep. 
When  war  protracted  scourges  nations, 

Nor  hopes  of  truce  arise, 
A  voice  resounds  to  generations 

When  "  peace  "  salutes  the  skies. 


Later  Poems.  191 

The  yes  or  no  by  lovers  uttered 

A  destiny  foretells; 
Domestic  storms  to  come  are  muttered, 

Or  angel  music  swells. 
A  word  will  states  or  nations  sunder, 

Raise  high  or  dash  to  earth, 
Like  lightning  scathe,  alarm  as  thunder, 

Abundance  cause  or  dearth. 

'T  is  like  the  dynamite  that  shatters 

The  deep  primeval  rock, 
And  aged  fossils  ruthless  scatters 

In  one  appalling  shock ; 
Or  like  the  dynamite  that  blesses 

And  not  alone  destroys  — 
A  force  by  which  the  world  progresses, 

Imparting  nameless  joys. 

Perchance  a  word  we  now  remember 

Of  one  long  passed  away ; 
It  comes  back  in  our  life's  December, 

A  blossom  of  its  May. 
Not  volumes  with  such  gentle  power 

The  depths  of  being  wake  — 
'T  will  linger  to  the  latest  hour 

For  that  loved  sleeper's  sake. 

SALVATION — other  words  excelling — 

Throughout  the  Gospel  shines ; 
Its  promise  mercy's  lips  are  telling 

To  lift  each  heart  that  pines. 


192  Later  Poems. 

Beyond  the  firmament,  pervasive, 
Outvoicing  Ocean's  roar, 

Beams  this  celestial  term  persuasive 
That  fills  the  evermore. 


THE    DAUGHTERS   OF   THE   REVOLUTION. 

OF  ancestry  ye  came  not 
The  mock  of  tyrant  will, 
Whose  deeds  of  blood  we  name  not  — 
Mere  puppets  bought  to  kill. 

Your  sires  strove  not  for  plunder, 
The  glamour  of  applause  — 
They  rushed  'mid  warfare's  thunder 
For  freedom's  noblest  cause. 

They  fought  to  slay  all  fighting, 
To  build  the  throne  of  peace, 
A  present  wrong  were  righting 
That  future  wrong  might  cease. 

And  mothers  may  ye  boast  of 
Who  fired  the  patriot  heart ; 
Such  dames  there  was  a  host  of, 
Each  equal  to  her  part. 


Later  Poems.  193 

They  graced  the  humble  kitchen, 
And  parlor  too  as  well, 
As  jagged  rocks  the  lichen, 
Or  flowers  grace  the  dell. 

From  wheel  and  distaff  plying 
The  harpsichord  they  sought, 
In  plainest  garment  vying 
As  though  of  gold  't  were  wrought. 

As  lily  in  the  valley 
Delights  the  scene  around, 
From  darkness  did  they  rally  — 
A  joy  'mid  grief  profound. 

Ye  honored  as  descendants, 
Exalt  the  name  ye  bear; 
Be  liberty's  defendants, 
Adorn  the  badge  ye  wear. 

'Mid  national  declension 
Through  luxury  and  pride, 
With  timely  intervention 
Roll  back  each  trait'rous  tide. 

No  overgrowth  can  harm  us 
If  woman  interpose ; 
From  threatening  evil  charm  us, 
And  Yorktown's  chief  disclose. 


194  Later  Poems. 

Unrivaled  is  your  mission, 
Which  heedless  ye  profane ; 
'T  is  worthy  all  ambition  — 
Its  source  without  a  stain. 


TO  THE  CAPITOL  AT  WASHINGTON. 

THY  classic  dome  in  solemn  worship  greets  the  sky, 
No  envying  shadow  dims  the  noonday  sun, 
The  candid  light 
Shows  marble  white 

'Neath  which  the  destinies  of  millions  lie 
In  Continental  Congress  erst  begun. 

Serene  thou  smilest  'mid  each  conflict  rude  of  state    -  - 
Which  like  a  whirlwind  shocks  the  peaceful  soul, 

Rebuking  those 

Mere  useless  floes 

Who  block  progression's  tide  by  party  hate, 
Whom  sordid,  not  their  country's,  aims  control. 

Fair  Capitol,  canst  not  through  art  to  truth  allure,  , 
Such  harmony  in  thy  proportions  grand, 

With  columns  just 

Near  patriot  bust, 

With  Doric  and  Corinthian  model  pure, 
Conceived  where  genius  stayed  barbaric  hand. 


Later  Poems.  195 

If  they  who  law  devise  to  meet  a  people's  need 
Forget  their  weal  who  lifted  them  to  place, 
'Gainst  vile  unrest 
Wilt  thou  protest, 

Like  virtue  ever  scattering  wholesome  seed 
Where  clamorous  self  the  spirit's  shrine  disgrace. 

A  group  of  sisters  does  the  nation's  flag  entwine, 
As  differing  parts  the  human  form  compose ; 
So  ever  hold 
As  one  enrolled 

The  stars  upon  our  heritage  divine 
Which  with  consentient  will  at  first  uprose. 

No  Pantheon  of  multifarious  creeds  art  thou, 
Where  war  religions  brought  from  every  land — 

Thy  storied  walls 

Assembly  halls 

Respecting  each  conviction's  honest  vow  — 
A  monument  to  Freedom  thou  shalt  stand. 


196  Later  Poems. 


GENERAL  VON  MOLTKE. 

AT   THE    AGE    OF    NINETY. 

SOME  iron  men  there  be 
That  stand  as  bulwarks  in  defense  of 

country  or  of  right ; 
The  deepest  gloom  brings  forth  their  light, 

A  torch  of  victory. 

These  Nestors  come  we  know  not  whence 
Amid  suspense. 

Von  Moltke  silent,  famed 

For  action,  not  for  boastful  word,  stands  thus  among  the  few 
Which  Austria,  France,  and  Denmark  knew. 

Both  great  and  good  is  named 
This  chief  of  council  and  the  sword 

So  wide  adored. 

Unflinching  Bismarck  towers, 
And  so  the  conqueror  renowned  —  that  youth  may  borrow 

heart, 
Learn  virtues  that  'mid  peace  depart. 

To  summon  patriot  powers 
These  living  monuments  are  found 
Of  record  sound. 


Later  Poems.  197 

We  all  incentive  need 

From  signals  of  a  well-spent  past,  those  heroes  that  were  wont 
'Mid  thickening  shot  to  brave  the  front, 

Not  born  to  follow,  but  to  lead, — 
Whose  stalwart  lives,  achievements  vast, 

Will  time  outlast. 


LORD    TENNYSON. 

IN  beauty  and  monition  lifts  the  tall  cathedral  spire, 
A  way  mark  for  each  pilgrim  who  makes  earth  or 

heaven  his  goal : 

So  upward  wreathes  and  faithful  points  thy  true  poetic  fire, 
A  lofty  guide  for  earthly  art,  or  thought  that  wakes  the 
soul. 


THE   SEVENTIETH   BIRTHDAY  OF  WILLIAM 
TECUMSEH    SHERMAN. 

THE  sands  of  life  run  golden, 
Telling  hours  away ; 
With  God  are  we  beholden 
To  waste  not  by  delay. 


198  Later  Poems. 

He  oft  prolongs  the  season, 
Work  to  do  complete, 

Till  force  or  will  or  reason 
Makes  end  and  purpose  meet. 

'T  is  well  ripe  age  is  given 
One  whom  honor  claims; 

His  compeers  speak  from  Heaven, 
His  toil  the  sluggard  shames. 

To  duty's  voice  he  yielded, 
Startling  Georgia's  shore; 

The  cause  of  man  he  shielded 
Till  arms  could  do  no  more. 

And  now  is  he  fulfilling 
Gentle  calls  of  peace ; 

A  kindly  power  distilling 
That  nevermore  will  cease. 

As  feared  by  foes  opposing, 
Loved  he  is  by  friends ; 

Warm  greetings  now  disclosing 
The  spell  his  presence  lends. 

May  countless  years  still  cluster, 
Health  and  joy  remain, 

Before  the  final  muster 

The  unseen  heights  to  gain. 


Later  Poems.  199 


NOVEMBER    MUSINGS. 

THE  withered  and  the  falling  leaf 
O'er  hill  and  plain  is  scattered: 
It  tells  us,  like  the  golden  sheaf, 
How  summer  dreams  are  shattered. 

The  winds  more  chilly  sweep  along, 
Where  flowers  have  departed, 

And  scarce  we  hear  the  wood-bird's  song, 
While  comrades  south  have  started. 

Proud  beauty,  throned  in  gorgeous  prime, 
With  freshness  was  surrounded ; 

Her  pomp  subdued  suggests  the  time 
When  wintry  blasts  are  sounded. 

Reflection,  pondering  that  sleep 

To  which  we  all  are  hasting, 
Recalls  the  fruits  we  failed  to  reap, 

Probation's  moments  wasting. 

But  autumn  leaves  with  brilliant  hues 
Cheat  Nature  of  her  sadness ; 

Illusion  charms  the  soul  that  views, 
Till  sighs  are  lost  in  gladness. 


2oo  Later  Poems. 

And  though  we  trace  the  lessening  bloom 
That  warns  us  of  life's  ending, 

Through  faith  some  power  will  banish  gloom, 
A  radiant  beam  descending. 


MY   FRIEND. 

{HAVE  a  true  Friend,  far  distant  his  home, 
And  yet  at  my  bidding  most  willing  to  come. 
With  him  may  be  found 
A  balm  for  each  wound 
Afflicting  —  as  over  life's  desert  we  roam. 

With  nothing  below  the  spirit  to  cheer, 

To  bring  back  the  smile  and  to  banish  the  tear, 

He  reaches  the  soul 

Which  sorrows  control, 
And  makes  above  darkness  the  light  to  appear. 

When  summer  friends  go,  like  glare  of  the  day, 
Who  only  are  wont  with  the  prosp'rous  to  stay, 

He  constant  remains, 

And  love  still  retains, 
More  closely  adhering  as  these  haste  away. 

How  swift  speed  the  hours  like  arrows  that  glide, 
While  many  the  cherished  who  fall  by  our  side ; 

Yet  One  may  be  seen 

With  visage  serene, 
A  lightship  that  floats  'mid  the  stormiest  tide. 


Later  Poems.  201 

When  evening  draws  on,  and  Nature  seeks  rest, 
He  sends  forth  his  angels  whom  none  can  molest ; 

Such  sentry  disarms 

All  foes  or  alarms, 
If  Faith  make  its  pillow  a  Saviour's  breast. 

And  when  at  the  last  this  earth  we  shall  leave, 
And  bidding  farewell,  loved  and  loving  must  grieve, 

The  soul  he  uplifts, 

And  shows  us  bright  rifts 
In  clouds  against  heaven  our  doubts  interweave. 


THE  DREADED  ISLAND. 

AS  toward  yon  distant  isle  the  helmsmen  steer, 
I\.  In  every  bosom  is  awakened  fear ; 
Forbidding  rocks  arise 
To  anxious  eyes ; 
And  shoals  —  like  treacherous  foes, 
Concealed  by  noiseless  billows,  none  would  think 

were  near  —  lie  hid. 
If  harmlessly  the  wave  repose, 
Or  fatally  the  tempest  sweep 
And  lash  to  fury  far  and  wide 

The  wayward  and  remorseless  deep  — 
The  lurid  lightning  danger  writes  upon  the  tide, 
Where  fathoms  down  doth  many  a  bark 

Lie  desolate,  and  none  can  know 
Where  absent  loved  ones  sleep. 


2O2  Later  Poems. 

When  night  spreads  shadows  dark 
Soon  furled  is  every  sail, 

While  hearts  more  timorous  grow, 
An  unknown  fate  bewail. 


Upon  this  island  food  is  placed, 
That  when,  perchance,  is  lost  some  hapless  ship 

The  saved  may  live  till,  fear  effaced, 
By  timely  aid  they  may  resume  their  trip, 

And  reach  some  safer  shore, 

Where  terrors  they  have  felt  may  ne'er  arrrighten  more. 

'Mid  fairest  seeming,  fatal  isles  doth  life  disclose, 
Our  trend  is  toward  them  like  the  needle  to  the  pole. 

Unrippling  silent  waves  that  glow 
Allay  suspicion  and  the  thought  of  dole. 
Succeedeth  rashness,  when  the  helm  of  wisdom  ceases 

to  control — 

Unquestioning  do  mortals  steer  to  where  the  subtle  evils  lie, 
Though  many  wrecks  to  make  them  pause  may  they  descry, 
And  tales  of  navigators  thwarted  bid  them  fly. 

Still  safety  may  they  find  who  on  these  rocks  are  cast, 
They  yet  may  live,  albeit  destruction  seem  to  bind  the 
victim  fast. 

A  God  is  there, 
As  everywhere, 
And  when  they  strive, 
He  keeps  alive. 


Later  Poems.  203 

An  antidote  removes  the  bane ; 

A  lifted  prayer,  and  man  is  safe  again. 
He  rescues,  who  a  Peter  kept  from  watery  grave, 
And  taught  his  timid  follower  to  tread  the  stormy 
wave. 


REVERIES  ON  VIRGINIA  BEACH. 

I  WANDER  o'er  Virginia  Beach, 
Whose  length  is  more  than  eye  can  reach, 
Where  laboring  footsteps  patience  teach. 
I  watch  the  ocean's  changeful  hue, 
Its  tints  of  brown  and  green  and  blue, 
While  moving  sails  oft  meet  the  view. 

I  see  a  wreck  upon  the  sand, 
Her  hull  yet  sound,  proportions  grand, 
Though  rudely  hurled  by  Neptune's  hand. 
How  sad  to  think  of,  outward  bound, 
Some  promised  dreamland  never  found  — 
Of  beauteous  forms  by  seaweed  wound  ! 

Again,  I  see  a  broken  net, 
Like  shattered  wishes  never  met, 
Though  gleesome  woven  seines  were  set. 
On  pebbles  smooth  or  glistening  shell 
My  wandering  glance  doth  often  dwell; 
They  seem  of  greetings  kind  to  tell. 


204  Later  Poems. 

I  see  a  white  bird  cast  ashore : 
Its  shattered  wing  is  stained  with  gore ; 
It  ne'er  can  skim  the  ether  more. 
So  whiter  seems  a  life  when  flown, 
And  Envy  leaves  its  prey  alone : 
By  crimson  stain  't  is  purer  known. 

No  more  the  sportive  naiads  lave ; 
The  power  of  God  is  in  yon  wave  — 
'T  is  he  alone  the  soul  can  save. 
The  noblest  thought,  in  noblest  speech, 
Hath  not  such  gift  the  heart  to  teach 
As  voices  from  Virginia  Beach. 


THE  FLOWERS  IN  BOSTON   PUBLIC   GARDEN. 

O  BOSTON,  city  of  the  past  and  of  the  living  present, 
With  fancies  decked  in  hues  as  rich  as  those  of 

golden  pheasant, 

Whose  transcendentalism,  like  thy  streets,  seems  very  mazy, 
Or  like  the  fogs  upon  near  coasts — conspicuously  hazy. 

Of  all  the  sights  to  waken  thought  amid  thy  many  glories, 
Thy  monuments  and  statues,  linked  with  patriotic  stories, 
Naught  captivates  and  charms  us  more  than  flowers  fair 

adorning 
Thy  Public  Garden,  radiant  with  freshness  of  the  morning. 


Later  Poems.  205 

The  tuberose  and  the  hyacinth  and  pink  delight  the  senses, 
Where  Nature,  trained  by  human  skill,  her  fragrance  rare 

dispenses. 
Each  army  corps  its  badge  may  claim,  the  hand  of  taste 

displaying ; 
Deserting  its  allotted  sphere,  we  find  no  leaflet  straying. 

Like  regiments  in  phalanx  close,  appropriate  their  draping, 
'T  would  seem  some  orderly  with  care  attended  to  their 

shaping. 

A  tear  arises  in  his  eye,  who  fought  to  save  the  nation, 
When  these  sweet  emblems  bid  him  pause  amid  his 

recreation. 

Instructors  that  dispel  from  life  the  shades  which  often 

lower, 
Upon  this  day  of  import  deep  thus  teach  by  thine  own 

power : 
Our  country  in  her  proud  advance,  her  splendor  and  her 

sinning, 
Needs  hearts  as  true  and  hands  as  brave  as  those  at  her 

beginning. 


GRAND  ARMY  DAY,  Aug.  12,  1890. 


206  Later  Poems. 


A  DOG'S  DEATH. 

ONE  morning  a  dog,  with  his  fate  not  content, 
Disgusted  with  three  years  of  life, 
To  where  rushed  the  train  at  a  rail-crossing  went, 
Determined  to  end  fortune's  strife. 

Unconscious  of  fear,  on  the  iron  he  lay, 

Though  danger  was  at  its  full  height, 
With  scarcely  a  moment  the  past  to  survey, 

His  limbs  and  his  sorrows  took  flight. 

Soon  after  his  master  perceived  the  remains 

Of  Fido,  to  household  endeared, 
Which,  having  entombed  with  solicitous  pains, 

A  monument  worthy  he  reared. 

Alas,  like  a  dog's  is  the  lot  of  our  race, 
The  world  whipping  much  at  its  will ; 

And  if,  like  the  dog,  no  design  could  we  trace, 
The  suicide's  grave  more  would  fill. 

In  bufferings  wisdom  sees  purposes  high, 

The  sweet  fruits  of  patience  in , view; 
'Neath  blows,  while  the  foolish  then  curse  God  and  die, 

Their  lives  will  the  thoughtful  renew. 


Later  Poems.  207 


THE  LORD'S  PRAYER. 

T^ATHER,  thou  who  art  in  heaven, 

r    Hallowed  be  thy  name, 

May  thy  kingdom's  peaceful  leaven 

War  disarmed  proclaim; 
May  thy  will,  which  man  resisting, 

From  himself  ne'er  won, 
Through  the  earth  be  still  persisting 

As  on  high  't  is  done. 
Thou,  who  countless  souls  art  feeding, 

Give  us  daily  bread ; 
Let  each  one  who  food  is  needing 

Share  thy  bounty  spread. 
Wrong  forgive  by  us  committed 

In  thy  holy  sight, 
As  thy  servants  have  remitted 

Trespass  'gainst  their  right. 
'Mid  temptation  lead  us  never, 

Evil's  work  undo, 
For  thy  kingdom  standeth  ever, 

Power,  glory,  too.     Amen. 

RAIN. 

DROP,  drop,  rain,  rain, 
A  priceless  boon  thou  art ; 
A  greeting  sends  the  arid  plain, 
The  shallow  brook,  the  mart. 


208  Later  Poems. 

Attending  breezes  cool  the  brow, 
The  blinding  dust  allayed  — 

Thy  crystal  purity  on  bough 
And  mead  and  tender  blade. 


A  gift  I  have,  a  favorite  plant 
Which  by  yon  lattice  springs ; 

Its  faded  beauties  seem  to  pant, 
To  droop  like  wearied  wings. 

O  prithee,  rain,  my  spirit  cheer, 

And  ere  too  late  revive 
Its  growth,  and  bring  the  giver  near 

To  bid  affection  thrive. 

How  rhythmic  at  the  midnight  hour 

Thy  pattering  on  the  roof, 
While  slumber  owns  thy  soothing  power, 

To  druggist's  art  reproof! 

To  every  mortal  thou  art  kind  — 

The  just  and  unjust  too; 
For  mercy  we  can  never  bind, 

Whatever  ill  we  do. 

Impatience  oft  would  drive  thee  hence, 

Provided  long  thy  stay ; 
Reflection  yields,  regardful  whence 

The  bread  consumed  each  day. 


Later  Poems.  209 

In  season  due  thy  moistened  tread 

Along  the  town  or  wood ; 
The  harvest  ripe,  the  harvest  dead, 

Thy  path  bestrewn  with  good. 

As  they  who  weep  return  with  sheaves 

Of  joyousness  again, 
O  tearful  sky,  thy  blessings  leave 

To  hinder  Famine's  pain. 

Our  prayers  be  like  ascending  mist 
That  calls  down  fruitful  showers; 

May  Grace  their  fervency  assist, 
And  change  life's  dearth  to  flowers. 


T 


MY  CANARY. 

WAS  given  to  me 
By  one  o'er  the  sea, — 
So  precious,  though  wee, — 

My  Canary ! 

O'erlooked  from  his  size  — 
Yet,  blinking  his  eyes, 

He  seemed  very  wise  — 

My  Canary ! 

And  this  pretty  thing 
With  bright  yellow  wing 
Most  sweetly  would  sing  — 

My  Canary! 

14 


2io  Later  Poems. 

Ah,  sad  was  the  night! 
A  mouse  with  a  bite 
Removed  my  delight — 

My  Canary! 

I  saw  him  ere  dead : 

He  chirruped,  raised  his  head, 

And  then  his  life  fled — 

My  Canary ! 

Lone  days  will  prolong 
That  last  note  of  song, 
That  eve's  cruel  wrong  — 

My  Canary ! 


TO  A  FRIEND  AFTER  A  LONG  ABSENCE. 

1SAW  thee  not  as  in  the  youthful  past 
With  maiden  beauty  of  unwonted  kind, — 
Such  charms  could  not  forever  last, 
Since  years  roll  on  and  leave  their  marks  behind. 
I  saw  thee  when  the  brown  to  white  had  turned, 
And  traces  of  life's  discipline  were  shown — 
When,  though  the  altar  flame  of  love  still  burned, 
Yet  by  affection  more  subdued  't  was  known. 
Still  beauty  rested  on  thy  brow  serene, 
As  sunlight  peering  through  a  softening  cloud, 
Suggestive  more  than  when  in  girlhood  seen, 
Like  music  faintly  heard  —  not  near  and  loud. 


Later  Poems.  211 

Dear  friends  of  youth,  how  magical  their  power ! 
They  waken  visions  which  can  never  die : 
We  do  not  view  them  as"  a  transient  flower, 
But  like  the  leaves  which  in  some  volume  lie. 
May  time  add  blessings  to  thy  wedded  store, 
Their  sources  deepening  in  a  love-lit  home, 
Till  thou  in  peace  shalt  reach  the  open  door 
Where  undimmed  friendship  crowns  the  life  to  come ! 

THE  HORSE. 

T   ITHE  doth  he  bound, 

J^/  Spurning  the  ground ; 

Graceful  each  curve 

Quivering  with  nerve : 
A  creature  of  beauty  from  fetlock  to  mane, 
The  full-blooded  steed  as  he  courses  the  plain. 

Taskmasters  ply 

Burdens  that  try 

Patience  and  brawn, 
.     Plodding  from  dawn : 
Of  all  useful  creatures  he  serves  man  the  best, 
Most  worthily  claiming  his  food  and  his  rest. 

Proud  but  yet  meek, 

Love  does  he  seek ; 

Scarcely  when  heard, 

Swayed  by  a  word : 

His  head  tossed  with  anger,  impetuous,  wild  — 
Caressed,  he  will  stoop  to  the  hand  of  a  child. 


212  Later  Poems. 

Intellect's  light 
Smiles  through  brute  night; 
Fineness  of  fact 
Lurks  in  an  act : 

"  He  smelleth  the  battle  afar  off,"  and  breathes 
A  craving  for  laurels  that  victory  wreathes. 

Praise  of  the  horse 

Ages  endorse, 

Beauteous  with  might, 

Gentle  and  bright : 

Bucephalus  high  amid  chargers  in  fame 
A  prestige  hath  given  an  undying  name. 


THE  ENGLISHMAN  AND  THE  SCOT. 

AN  Englishman  on  Scotia's  soil, 

JTJL  Where  Nature's  barrenness  defies  mere  toil, 

Surprised,  was  at  a  loss  to  trace 

By  what  devices  she  maintained  her  race. 

While  musing  o'er  a  sterile  heath, 

With  frowning  skies  above  and  rocks  beneath, 

A  native  did  he  thus  address : 
"  With  special  favor  Heaven  seems  to  bless 

You  Northmen,  save  in  choice  of  food. 

Pray  tell  me  how  you  live  ?  "     In  jesting  mood 

He  asked ;  then  waited  for  reply. 
"  On  oatmeal,"  said  the  Scot,  "  do  we  rely." 


Later  Poems.  213 

At  this  response  the  Southron  smiled. 

Grown  portly  with  rich  fare,  he  deemed  it  wild. 
"  On  oatmeal  we  our  horses  feed," 

He  said,  while  roast-beef  visions  moved  his  greed. 

The  Scot  rejoined,  in  tone  of  glee : 
"  What  horses  do  you  raise !  —  what  men  do  we !  " 


TO  A  DISTINGUISHED  PHYSICIAN  ON  HIS 
SEVENTY-SECOND  BIRTHDAY. 

BUT  few  are  the  sheaves  which  the  life  reaper  brings 
When  the  chances  to  glean  are  departing, 
Compared  with  those  promised  when  Hope  spread 

her  wings 
'Mid  illusions  of  youth  at  the  starting. 

Not  thus  't  is  with  thee  in  thy  ripeness  of  years 
Long  renowned  in  the  province  of  healing ; 

The  good  thou  hast  done  in  Time's  record  appears, 
Ample  measure  its  pages  revealing. 

The  poor  with  the  rich  whom  thy  art  has  made  glad 
Now  the  tokens  of  love  are  presenting : 

They  trust  that  thy  smile  and  thy  skill  to  the  sad 
Yet  may  bless,  pain's  intrusion  preventing. 


214  Later  Poems. 

This  tribute  accept  of  a  friend's  deep  regard 
Thou  hast  cheered  amid  sickness  and  sorrow ; 

God  grant  thee  above  an  eternal  reward, 
And  below,  oft  a  happy  to-morrow. 


DOES   THE   POET   LIVE? 

A  CRITIC  mourns  the  Muse  as  dead  and  buried — 
That  this  prosaic  age,  engrossed  in  traffic, 
Has  quenched  the  flame  that  burned  so  bright  on  Scio  — 
Rekindled  and  more  lambent  yet  on  Avon  : 
Apollo's  lyre  is  dumb  before  the  harshness 
Of  car  and  steamer  whistle,  loom  and  shuttle. 
He  says,  "  Though  rhymers  may  abound  —  not  poets," — 
Inferior  as  the  second-temple  offerings, 
Which  seem  like  flowers  scattered  on  a  highway 
Downtrodden  and  unworthy  to  be  gathered, — 
That  bards  who  wake  the  strain  sublime  have  vanished,— 
That  'mid  the  Babylon  of  grasping  commerce, 
Held  captive  by  its  chain,  their  harps  are  idle. 

Plain  common  sense  repels  the  imputation ; 

It  finds  the  Muse  prolific  now  as  ever ; 

A  higher  standard  are  its  numbers  reaching  — 

That  greater  lights  are  dimmed  by  many  great  ones, 

While  few  competing  better  chance  gave  genius. 

Does  music  longer  flourish,  or  does  painting  ? 
Let  crowds  decide  who  press  to  hear  a  Patti, 


Later  Poems.  215 

And  wealth  that  on  a  Meissonier  was  lavished  — 

For  art  is  single  though  its  kin  are  many. 

As  soon  may  droop  forever  rose  or  lily, 

Their  bloom  and  fragrance  fail  to  please  the  senses ; 

Niagara  as  soon  may  roar  unheeded, 

His  mountains  cease  to  stir  the  pride  of  Switzer ; 

As  soon  the  stars  may  fail  to  make  us  wonder, 

Or  night  gloom,  coming  fancies  weird  to  conjure; 

As  soon  may  Cupid  break  his  bow  and  slumber, 

May  smiles  and  tears  no  longer  cheer  or  sadden, 

As  ever  Poetry  forget  her  mission, 

Nor  longer  lift  from  troubled  hearts  their  burden. 


THE  OCTOGENARIAN'S  LAMENT. 

WHEN  I  am  gone  who  will  care? 
My  loss  the  world  will  soon  repair. 
Perchance  my  dog  will  whine  and  look  more  sad  - 

I  'm  sure  my  absence  will  not  drive  him  mad; 
The  cat  when  on  my  lounge  may  purr  the  more, 
Less  oft  awhile  my  bird  his  strains  may  pour; 
But  onward  will  the  car  of  time  proceed 

As  though  the  world  did  not  my  presence  need. 

Beside  these  pets  some  may  care : 
The  one  for  whom  I  cleared  the  air 

From  scandal's  pestilence  of  envy  born 
Where  reputation  was  of  honor  shorn; 


216  Later  Poems. 

The  poor  I  've  helped,  and  those  whom  I  've  consoled 
When  'mid  a  heart-felt  grief  but  few  condoled ; 

And  they  may  mourn  who,  blind  to  every  fault, 
The  humblest  virtue  that  I  have  exalt. 

When  I  am  gone  some  will  care — 

It  may  be  but  the  instance  rare 
Of  those  whose  love  is  more  than  in  the  name, 

Who  when  I  greet  them  ever  are  the  same, 
Unlike  the  changelings  of  the  hour  that  smile 

Yet  frown  as  quick  when  interest's  voice  beguile : 
Such  ties  will  cheer  the  gloom  the  grave  must  bring 

Like  nightingales  that  make  the  darkness  ring. 


LET   DOWN   THE   BARS. 

LET  down  the  bars  —  for  twilight's  fleeting  hour 
Is  deepening  shadows  in  the  somber  vale ; 
The  robin  in  the  copse  has  ceased  his  singing ; 
The  owl  will  soon  go  forth  and  nightingale. 

Let  down  the  bars  —  the  golden-rod  and  cowslip, 
The  buttercup,  the  clover,  and  the  fern 

Must  quick  retire  from  flaunting  day's  exposure 
To  sip  the  cooling  dews  at  eve's  return. 

Let  down  the  bars  —  the  maid  in  restless  humor 
With  foaming  white  the  empty  pail  would  fill ; 

All  clean  the  pans  within  the  dairy  glistening ; 
The  churn,  tho'  ready  for  its  work,  is  still. 


Later  Poems.  217 

Let  down  the  bars  —  the  cattle  sauntering  homeward, 
But  faintly  will  their  tinkling  bells  be  heard ; 

Beneath  its  wing  the  sheltering  night  enfolding 
Repose  will  give  to  man  and  beast  and  bird. 

Let  down  the  bars,  we  say,  'mid  earthly  pastures, 
When  sighing  for  the  herbage  ever  green, 

Whene'er  for  "  waters  still  "  the  soul  is  panting  — 
The  living  waters  of  the  land  unseen. 


-THE   FAR-AWAY   LOOK." 

WHY,  maiden,  that  mysterious  look  so  rapt  and  far 
away, 
As  though  intent  on  distant  scenes  that  hold  thee  by 

their  sway  ? 

Why  deaf  to  duty's  noble  call,  which  needs  thy  every  care, 
While  gazing  on  the  listless  cloud  or  on  the  empty  air  ? 

Is  meditation  lured  to  one  with  thoughts  akin  to  thine, 

To  whom  affection  firmly  clings,  as  to  the  oak  the  vine  ? 
Art  thou  absorbed  in  him  who  seems  like  hilltop  o'er  the 

vale, 

Or  sparkling  ore  that  miners,  with  an  untold  pleasure, 
hail? 

Does  poet-flame  illume  within  and  send  its  beam  afar, 
Thine  eye  bewildered  shining  like  some  lone  and  errant 
star? 


218  Later  Poems. 

Enravished  by  Apollo's  lyre,  that  charms  Parnassus'  height, 
Doth  soar  on  wings  of  fame  to  perch  where  genius  aims 
its  flight  ? 

Art  weaving  hopes  like  frost-work,  or  like  shadows  on  the 

wall, 

With  youth-inspired  vision  that  forebodings  ne'er  appal  ? 
Does  life  suggest  a  fairy-land,  remote  from  fear  or  pain, 
The  bright  side  of  its  pattern  seen,  obscured  its  rough 
and  plain  ? 

Has  sorrow  dashed  the  promise  that  shed  calmness  on  thy 

brow, 

The  burden  of  to-morrow  or  the  falsehood  of  a  vow  ? 
Dost  ponder  o'er  the  gloom  which  oft  surmounts  the 

gladdest  day, 

And  hence  the  strange  mysterious  look — that  look  so 
far  away  ? 

Perhaps  the  soul  immortal,  which  adds  beauty  to  thine  eye, 
Would  from  its  earthly  prison-house  some  Ararat 

descry  — 
Would  lend  its  fair  possessor  the  true  rest  for  hopes  and 

dreams, 

Where  every  picture  Faith  unfolds  is  lovelier  than  it 
seems. 


Later  Poems.  219 


THE   WACCAMAW. 

MY  heart  returns  to  long  ago, 
Recalls  a  river's  gentle  flow, 
That  'oft-reflected  pleasure's  glow : 
This  river  loved,  I  daily  saw 
And  floated  o'er  —  the  Waccamaw. 

Where  skyward  points  the  Southern  pine, 
With  other  tides  its  waves  combine 
As  souls  congenial  oft  entwine : 
They  tell  of  love's  mysterious  law, 
These  streamlets  with  the  Waccamaw. 

Upon  its  margin  roses  grew, 
Like  those  Cashmere  unfolds  to  view 
As  smiling  'mid  the  morning  dew : 
Their  crimson  leaves  with  scarce  a  flaw 
Were  fragrant  near  the  Waccamaw. 

The  old  plantation  cheers  the  past, 
Whose  memories  will  time  outlast. 
How  deep  the  shadows  change  has  cast ! 
The  blackbirds'  group,  the  crows'  harsh  caw 
Bewail  those  gone  from  Waccamaw. 

O  dreamland  South,  too  short  thy  stay, 
Now  yielding  to  a  coming  day; 


22O  Later  Poems. 

The  mart  disputes  the  poet's  lay  — 
But  should  the  Muses  all  withdraw, 
My  song  will  live  for  Waccamaw. 


A  TRUST. 

EACH  trust  by  God  was  given, 
Howe'er  by  man  it  came ; 
'T  was  sealed  at  first  in  heaven, 
And  bears  Jehovah's  name. 

Inwoven  with  the  matter 
Where  human  faith  abounds, 

Beyond  earth's  din  and  clatter 
The  sacred  charge  resounds. 

'T  were  better  our  own  treasure 
Should  suffer  by  neglect, 

Than,  through  deceitful  measure, 
We  forfeit  self-respect. 

With  pledges  oft  men  trifle, 
Their  sacred  honor  sell, 

The  claims  of  others  stifle 
Through  some  deluding  spell. 

When  falsely  undertaken, 

The  duty  of  a  trust 
A  Nemesis  will  waken, 

To  lay  our  schemes  in  dust. 


Later  Poems.  221 


IN   MEMORY  OF   PHILLIPS   BROOKS, 

LATE    BISHOP   OF   MASSACHUSETTS. 


I 


N  stature  a  King  Saul, 
A  David  in  devotion, 
An  honor  to  his  country,  he  has  rounded  life's  brief  day. 
With  zeal  that  fired  Paul, 
With  loving  John's  emotion, 

His  sudden  loss  the  thoughtless  rouse  by  God's  mysterious 
way. 

His  noble  form  declared 

A  noble  soul's  expansion ; 
The  Christ  within  superior  rose  to  either  creed  or  race. 

Affection  wide  he  shared, 

From  cot  to  lordly  mansion — 
The  old  and  young  responsive  to  the  sunshine  of  his  face. 

A  Christian  from  the  heart, 

Devoid  of  ostentation, 
In  word  and  deed  he  pointed  to  the  one  atoning  plan. 

His  gifts  he  deemed  no  part 

Of  gold  or  priestly  station — 
The  man  sought  not  the  miter,  but  the  miter  sought  the  man. 


222  Later  Poems. 

A  more  than  bishop  died, 

'T  is  not  a  name  has  left  us ; 
But  one  who  preached  the  value  of  a  conscience  and  a  mind. 

Upon  progression's  tide 

Moved  he  who  has  bereft  us  — 
Such  heroes,  spurning  narrowness,  but  seldom  do  we  find. 

Great  Shepherd,  God  of  light, 

Destruction's  power  averting, 
Uproot  the  plant  of  selfishness,  that  bane  of  church  and  state. 

A  lordship  keep  in  sight, 

Which,  Heaven's  cause  asserting, 
Will  sound  a  note  'mid  sin's  vast  wild  of  true  prophetic 
weight. 

UNCROWNED  KINGS. 

NOT  kingly  always  he  who  wears  the  crown, — 
For  sceptered  craft  and  impotence  insult  the  state 

And  foster  hate, 
While  strength  of  loyalty  is  broken  down. 

Before  his  office  self  is  falsely  placed. 

His  own  is  first  considered — not  the  people's  need; 

His  wicked  greed 
Appropriates  —  all  righteous  claims  effaced. 

Of  kings  not  crowned  the  world  may  sometimes  boast, 
Who  are  but  subjects,  though  possessed  of  regal  power. 

They  nobly  tower, 
The  choice  of  Heaven,  o'er  th'  inferior  host. 


Later  Poems.  223 

These  peerless  ones  in  humblest  life  abound, 
Dynamical  within  the  limit  of  their  sphere, 

By  worth  they  rear 
Authority  in  despots  never  found. 

They  counterpoise  the  tyrant  on  his  throne 
By  overcoming  influence  of  honest  deeds; 

They  plant  the  seeds 
Of  some  wild  vengeance  —  to  themselves  unknown. 

The  upright  statesman  is  an  uncrowned  king, 
Or  he  who  genius  barters  not  for  interest's  sake, 

Who  will  not  break 
His  pledge  to  this  high  gift,  whate'er  it  bring. 

And  monarch  such  remains  to  duty  true 

When  sneer  or  curse  awaits  the  outcome  of  his  will, 

When  threats  to  kill 
With  terror  haunt  the  path  he  dares  pursue. 

The  best  of  crowns  rewards  the  beacon  soul 

Which  makes  the  wealth  that  earth  bestows  a  bauble  seem. 

Its  mystic  gleam 
Is  where  the  "King  of  Kings"  bears  chief  control. 


THE  SOUL  OF  LOVE. 

ADORNED  with  beauty's  choicest  grace, 
JT\,  A  flower  at  morning  tide, 
The  future  told  upon  her  face 
She  soon  would  be  a  bride. 


224  Later  Poems. 

But,  mingled  with  her  budding  life, 
That  made  it  seem  more  fair, 
You  felt  a  mystic  presence  rife  — 
The  soul  of  love  was  there. 

The  waves  of  time  had  swept  along, 

Meridian  glory  fled, 

The  matin  bird  had  sung  her  song, 

The  youthful  prime  was  dead. 

Like  autumn  in  its  sober  vest, 

Her  looks  still  debonaire, 

The  mind,  of  lasting  charms  in  quest, 

The  soul  of  love  found  there. 

'T  is  evening,  and  the  taper  low, — 
Companions  gone  before, — 
Long  vanished  beauty's  fitful  glow, 
She  nears  the  final  shore. 
Now  few  and  faint  the  traces  cling 
Of  bloom  that  years  outwear : 
Yet — bright  as  in  her  time-worn  ring 
The  gem — love's  soul  is  there. 


THE   STORM  SPIRIT. 

WEIRD  spirit  of  the  storm, 
Unpitying  dost  thou  go ; 
The  proudest  and  the  humblest  form 
By  thee  alike  brought  low. 


Later  Poems.  225 

A  panic  wide  is  spread 

Where  calmness  reigned  before ; 
Thy  path  of  ruin  and  the  dead 

Appals  the  sea  and  shore. 

Thou  addest  gloom  to  night, 

Thy  frowning  hides  the  sun ; 
Retiring  shrinks  the  timid  light, 

The  herds  before  thee  run. 

But  why  o'erwhelmed  with  fear 

Beneath  thy  darkling  sway, 
When  hues  divine  will  soon  appear 

And  drive  the  gloom  away  ? 


MOONLIGHT   AT   RIDGEFIELD. 


night  is  like  a  dream  to  cheer  our 
1      troubled  vale  ; 

Poetic,  fresh,  above  the  gross,  the  stale  ; 
A  picture  by  the  hand  Divine, 
A  benison  for  hearts  that  pine. 

The  vagrant  clouds  are  floating  on  mid  air  ; 
They  sail  athwart  the  dome  serene  and  fair,- 
Arresting  surfeit  of  the  eye 
Enravished  by  the  moonlit  sky. 

15 


226  Later  Poems. 

Thus  wandering  clouds  impend  where  fortune's  gifts 

abound, 

That  tracing  Omnipresence  man  be  found, 
That  through  the  shadow  we  may  prize 
What  surfeit  fails  to  realize. 

How  lovely  yonder  silvery  orb,  the  darkened  green, 
The  softened  outline  and  the  lakelet  sheen ! 
How  sweet  the  odor  of  the  flower 
On  zephyr  wing  from  lover's  bower! 

Alone,  fair  queen,  thou  rulest  o'er  enchanted  earth, 
Like  one  to  whom  an  age  gives  birth ; 
Beneath  thy  radiance  nature  smiles, 
Each  charm  enriched  with  borrowed  wiles. 

O  hallowed  eve  so  pensive  and  by  angels  blest, 
Awakening  drowsy  fancy  from  her  rest  — 
To  fadeless  beauties  thou  dost  move, 
In  words  unuttered,  fraught  with  love ! 


CONJUGALITY. 

A  LONE  I  am  not  if  it  be 

JTJL  That  thou  art  'neath  the  roof  where  I  may  sit ; 
Thy  form  I  may  not  see, 

Nor  hear  thy  voice  of  music  and  of  wit : 
Yet  not  alone  am  I 
Should  others  be  not  nigh. 


Later  Poems.  227 

And  e'en  when  many  mingle  here, 

While  echoing  halls  are  filled  with  merry  sounds 
That  fain  the  hour  would  cheer  — 

Of  thee  bereft,  a  sadness  deep  abounds, 
And  mocks  each  friendly  wile 
That  would  from  self  beguile. 

Or  should  the  angels  take  thee  hence 

And  mar  the  joyousness  that  fills  my  soul, 

In  prayer,  when  most  intense, 

A  nearness  felt  would  every  thought  control, 

More  living  than  the  giddy  throng 

With  flattery,  jest,  and  song. 

A  COMRADE. 

WELCOME,  friend  of  bygone  years, 
With  joy  unfeigned  I  greet  thee  ; 
Life's  early  garlands  dost  thou  bring, 
Whene'er  I  chance  to  meet  thee. 

Imaged  by  thy  sparkling  eye, 

The  brooklet  dances  brightly, 
Upon  whose  margin  oft  we  played 

When  shadowing  care  touched  lightly. 

Beaming  in  thy  cheerful  smile, 

I  see  the  happy  faces 
Of  loved  companions  passed  away, 

With  none  to  fill  their  places. 


228  Later  Poems. 

Pressing  with  a  cordial  grasp 
The  hand  I  freely  offer, 

I  know  that  one,  well  tried  and  true, 
His  hand  in  turn  doth  proffer. 

Time  may  set  its  well-known  seal, 
Its  shears  youth  fancies  sever  — 

But  verdure  of  thy  guileless  heart 
Will  spring  as  fresh  as  ever. 


MODERATE  AIMS. 

UNDULY  ask  I  not 
For  this  s-hort  life ; 
My  dwelling  be  some  favored  spot 

With  hallowed  pleasures  rife, 
With  friendship  near,  by  enmity  forgot. 

I  know  that  happiness 

From  modest  springs 
O'erflows,  while  riches  fail  to  bless, 

Except  upon  the  wings 
Of  charity,  alive  to  all  distress. 

It  is  not  wealth  I  crave, 

Where  envy  stands, 
A  hideous  specter  from  the  grave 

Of  peace,  with  outstretched  hands 
To  ruin  by  some  plot  whence  naught  can  save. 


Later  Poems.  229 

Averse  to  all  extremes, 

I  find  true  joy  : 
It  comes  not  in  the  wildering  dreams 

Of  luxuries  that  health  destroy; 
Nor  poverty  nor  riches  draw  its  beams. 

I  know  't  is  on  the  tide 

Of  calm  content, 
Where  passion's  stormy  winds  subside 

And  reason  is  not  rent 
By  hapless  ventures  which  the  fact  outride. 

Beyond  enough  for  me 

May  some  one  share  — 
A  toiler  brave,  from  envy  free, 

With  thankful  heart  for  rudest  fare, 
Whose  plaintless  want  but  One  alone  can  see. 


"THOSE    WE    REMEMBER/' 

ADORNING  life's  pathway,  with  pleasure  we  meet 
L\.  Companions  who  ennui  dispel : 

The  charm  of  their  presence  delighted  we  greet 

Reluctantly  bid  them  farewell. 

But  't  is  not  the  contact  of  hand  grasping  hand  — 

Approval  of  mind  has  been  reached ; 
Where  friendship  is  hallowed  in  mem'ry's  choice  band, 

Her  steadfastness  never  impeached. 


230  Later  Poems. 

The  heart  is  a  witness  beyond  all  appeal 
Of  forms  time  will  never  efface  — 

'T  is  this — only  this,  can  enduringly  seal 
The  loved  in  the  past  that  we  trace. 

Hence  small  is  the  number,  unbroken  by  years, 
We  prize  as  when  earliest  seen  — 

To  whom  fond  recurrence  a  monument  rears, 
Their  sod  by  affection  kept  green. 

They  may  not  be  beautiful,  valiant,  or  gay — 

Have  little  the  worldly  admire ; 
Like  flowers  that  hide  from  the  glare  of  the  day, 

May  know  not  ambition's  desire. 

Remembered  they  are  for  the  blessings  they  shed, 
O'ermastering  despair  through  their  wiles — 

That,  ruling  the  spirit — all  selfishness  dead, 
An  Eden  have  planted  with  smiles. 


DIES    IR/E. 

DAY  of  anger,  noted  day, 
Earth  in  ashes  melts  away, 
David  and  the  Sibyl  say. 

Ah,  what  trembling  will  there  be 
When  with  searching  scrutiny 
Every  act  our  Judge  will  see ! 


Later  Poems.  231 

At  the  trumpet's  startling  tone  — 
Which  sepulchral  gloom  shall  own  — 
All  must  come  before  the  throne. 

Death  astounded,  Nature,  too, 
Shall  be  found,  as  rise  to  view 
Buried  forms  the  Judge  to  sue. 

Hidden  things  will  be  revealed 
In  the  record  long  concealed 
When  the  verdict  he  will  yield. 

Dreadful  in  his  lofty  seat, 
Crime  must  leave  its  vain  retreat 
Righteous  punishment  to  meet. 

Wretched  me,  what  shall  I  say, 
To  what  intercessor  pray, 
When  the  just  see  not  their  way  ? 

King  of  awful  majesty, 

Saving  man  when  true  to  thee, — 

Mercy's  font,  deliver  me! 

Jesus,  pitiful,  recall 

How  I  brought  thee  through  the  fall, — 

Do  .not  let  this  hour  appal. 

Weary  waiting,  sought  thou  me, 
Interceding  on  the  tree, — 
Not  in  vain  thine  effort  be. 


232  Later  Poems. 

Righteous  Judge  retributive, 
Pardoning  grace  thy  servant  give, 
Till  the  reck'ning  let  me  live. 

Deeply  I  a  culprit  groan, 

Face  suffused  with  guilt  I  moan, — 

Send  forgiveness  from  thy  throne. 

Thou  who  canceled  Mary's  sin, 
Thou  whose  ear  a  thief  could  win, 
Grant  me  also  peace  within. 

Merit  seasons  not  my  prayer, 
Yet,  good  Lord,  in  mercy  spare, 
Lest  eternal  fire  I  share. 

From  the  goats  thy  servant  keep ; 
Let  me  mingle  with  the  sheep, 
At  thy  right  their  fruits  to  reap. 

When  the  lost  their  sins  confound, 
And  the  scorching  flames  surround, 
May  "  well  done  "  to  me  resound. 

Humble,  prostrate,  I  implore  — 
Contrite  in  the  dust,  heart-sore, 
Guard  me  when  death  hovers  o'er. 

In  that  mournful  day's  surprise, 
When,  O  Judge,  from  ashes  rise 
Guilty  mortals  —  hear  their  cries. 


Later  Poems.  233 

In  the  mansions  of  the  blest, 

Where  no  storms  can  reach  the  breast, 

Jesu,  grant  to  all  thy  rest ! 


'DEATH  IS  SWALLOWED  UP  IN  VICTORY. 

SLOW  beats  the  pulse  in  yonder  wasted  form ; 
It  soon  must  yield  as  sweeps  the  final  storm; 
No  power  can  save 
But  His  who  gave, 
While  sluggish  drags  the  crimson  current  warm. 

The  eager  eyes  of  fond  ones  look  through  mist ; 
Their  ears  attent  for  faintest  word  still  list : 

But  in  that  room, 

Oppressed  with  gloom, 
All  signs  to  cheer  the  darkness  love  resist. 

An  earnest  watcher  murmurs,  "  Death  is  near," 
As  faith  despondent  yields  itself  to  fear ; 
When  lo  !  a  strain 
Makes  weeping  vain  — 
"Ah,  no;  not  death,  but  life,"  with  joy  they  hear. 


234  Later  Poems. 


PARTING   HYMN. 

GONE,  the  charm  of  school-day  life, 
Gone,  the  early  mental  strife  ; 
Visions  fade  from  fancy's  prime, 
Fact  must  rule  in  coming  time. 
Bravely  let  us  seek  the  right, 
Hopeful  scale  the  rugged  height, 

Where,  upon  her  chosen  throne, 
Honor  waits  to  claim  her  own. 

CHORUS. 

Bravely  let  us  seek  the  right, 
Hopeful  scale  the  rugged  height, 
Where,  upon  her  chosen  throne, 
Honor  waits  to  claim  her  own. 

Promise  cheers  the  toilsome  way ; 

Born  of  learning's  favored  day, 

Clear-eyed  Science  quick  unfolds 
Depths  no  dreamy  age  beholds. 

Woman's  work,  so  well  begun, 

Wide  and  wisely  should  be  done ; 

She  may  occupy  each  sphere 
Where  her  noblest  powers  appear. 

CHORUS. 


Later  Poems.  235 

Principal  and  teachers  true, 

School-mates  all,  adieu,  adieu ! 

Blessed  fruits  of  Jesus'  love 
Be  your  guerdon  from  above. 

Let  us  trust,  when  outward  bound, 

Crystallized  within,  be  found 

Line  and  precept  fitly  given, 
Glowing  with  the  light  of  heaven. 

CHORUS. 


HAIL  WE  ALL  THE   GLADSOME  HOUR. 

CHRISTMAS    CAROL. 

TT  7H Y  are  church-bells  gaily  sounding  ? 
VV     Why  each  pulse  with  rapture  bounding? 
Gleams  of  Christmas  shine  afar, 
Brighter  than  its  Eastern  Star. 

CHORUS. 

Hail  we  all  the  gladsome  hour ! 
God  and  angels  seal  its  power. 
Vanquished  doubt  before  it  flies  — 
Heaven's  message  fills  the  skies. 

Why  are  children  sweetly  singing, 
Toward  the  throne  their  voices  ringing  ? 
Gently  folded  to  his  breast, 
Children  are  by  Jesus  blest. 

CHORUS. 


236  Later  Poems. 

Why  are  strains  from  humblest  dwelling 
In  the  choral  outburst  swelling  ? 
Of  his  treasure  all  partake, 
Who  was  poor  for  our  sake. 

CHORUS. 

Why  rejoice  the  broken-hearted, 
Life  a  blank  —  its  hopes  departed  ? 
Christ  secured  for  their  relief 
Balm  to  soften  every  grief. 

CHORUS. 


THE    EASTER    SONG. 

CHORUS. 

SING  loud  the  Easter  song : 
Its  story  is  not  long; 
JT  is  spoken  in  a  breath  — 
The  Saviour  conquer'd  death. 

'T  is  warbled  by  the  bird 
Whose  springtide  voice  is  heard ; 
'T  is  told  throughout  the  vale 
By  fragrance  we  inhale ; 
While  every  verdant  lawn 
Reveals  it  to  the  dawn. 

CHORUS. 


Later  Poems.  237 

The  brook  that  laughs  and  sings, 
From  fetters  freed,  now  brings 
The  news  that  from  his  side 
There  came  a  healing  tide ; 
That  'mid  the  pastures  green 
The  wave  of  life  is  seen. 

CHORUS. 

The  welcome  season's  birth 
That  leaves  a  wintry  dearth, 
The  hopes  renewed  that  glow 
Like  beams  which  melt  the  snow, 
Inform  us  of  love's  power, 
That  rules  this  favor'd  hour. 

CHORUS. 


REASON    AND    REVELATION. 

I  KISSED  the  rod,  for  Reason  said  't  were  well; 
That  murmuring  would  bring  no  better  fate 
Than  that  evoked  by  sorrow's  present  spell : 

The  rather  I  might  feel  more  poignant  weight — 
The  load  of  conjured  grief,  which,  else  unknown, 

Could  add  no  furrow  to  my  saddened  brow, — 
Which  harmless,  in  the  bud  and  not  full  blown, 

Would  ne'er  coerce  me  from  submission's  vow. 
I  kissed  the  rod,  and  did  not  seek  to  fly : 

For  Reason  pointed  to  the  Stoic's  plan 


238  Later  Poems. 

As  best  befitting  lineage  so  high 

As  that  accorded  to  the  humblest  man. 
I  bowed  because  she  coldly  said  a  power 

That  placed  me  on  this  sphere,  by  changeless  rule, 
Would  scatter  in  due  season  clouds  that  lower, 
While  calling  him  who  questioned  her  a  fool. 
But  such  dissuasion  left  me  in  the  dark, 
While  tossed  amid  the  storms  of  doubt,  life's  bark. 
I  could  not  trace  the  wildering,  distant  shore, 
Where  wearied  hope  might  dwell  forever  more. 
Then  as  the  voyager,  spent  by  long  delay, 
San  Salvador  perceived  'mid  faith's  decay, 
From  dark  forebodings  I  at  last  awoke, 
When  truth  upon  my  longing  vision  broke : 
For  Revelation  did  more  clear  expound 
And  cause  from  dim  surmise  the  heart  to  bound; 
A  new  compliance  set  at  rest  all  fear, 
And  love  eternal  stayed  the  rising  tear. 


OMNIPRESENCE. 

HE  sees,  and  only  He, 
The  secret  of  life's  mystery, — 
Its  deep  unwritten  history, — 
Each  thought  the  lips  refuse  to  speak, 
The  purpose  strong,  with  action  weak, 
The  vengefulness,  with  bearing  meek. 


Later  Poems.  239 

He  hears,  and  only  He, 
The  prayer  that  comes  'mid  falling  tears, 
Corroding  needs,  appalling  fears, — 
Where  music's  soul  has  long  been  dulled, 
The  garden's  sweetest  flower  culled, 
The  wave  of  proud  ambition  lulled. 


He  knows,  and  only  He, 
When  time  seems  flitting  cheerily, 
How  drag  its  wheels  but  wearily. 
He  knows  the  spirit's  strife  with  sin, 
While  censure  with  confusing  din 
Arises  from  the  world's  chagrin. 


He  guards,  and  only  He, 
When  storms  assert  their  maddening  sway, 
As  safe  as  'mid  the  gladdening  day. 
His  watch  is  in  the  darkest  night 
The  soul  can  know, —  amid  its  flight, 
Till  reaching  final  depth  or  height. 


He  loves,  and  only  He, — 
The  Parent  true, —  unceasingly, 
Like  flowing  tide  increasingly ; 
By  non-requital  never  turned, — 
Repentance  smoldering,  embers  burned, — 
His  love  inborn  and  never  learned. 


240  Later  Poems. 

He  saves,  and  only  He, — 
Attempt  of  man  erasing  not 
That  subtle  and  defacing  spot. 
While  traveling  the  celestial  road, 
His  Son  alone  removes  the  load 
That  keeps  us  from  the  pure  abode. 


I   LOVE    MY   CHURCH. 

1LOVE  my  Church,  and  not  because  it  is  a  Church, 
But  something  better  than  a  Church  is  there. 
'T  is  not  the  ceremony  grand  and  beautiful 
That  wins  me,  but  its  Lord  found  everywhere. 

I  love  each  Church  wherein  redemption's  plan  is  told, 
The  name  be  what  it  may,  the  worship,  too. 

That  Church  I  know  not  where  concealed  the  Truth,  the 

Life, 
Nor  those  its  members  called  who  evil  woo. 

Authority  is  little  to  a  soul  athirst; 

No  broken  cisterns  can  the  want  supply. 
I  love  my  Church  because  it  comforts  while  I  live, 

But  most  because  it  comforts  when  I  die. 


Later  Poems.  241 


THE    BETTER    SIDE. 

A   BETTER  side  has  every  man, 
±\_  And,  seeking,  we  may  find  it ; 
Though  dross  appear  when  first  we  scan, 
Faith  looks  for  gold  behind  it. 

Companion  of  the  unclean  bird, 
The  dove  will  lose  its  whiteness, 

And  vice  when  often  seen  and  heard 
Will  sully  virtue's  brightness. 

A  common  soul,  howe'er  defiled, 
Illumines, —  God  creating, — 

And  sympathy  intense  and  mild 
Can  lift  to  heaven  by  waiting. 

Then  let  us,  from  the  depths  of  sin 

The  germ  divine  unfolding, 
With  prayer  the  erring  strive  to  win, 

Enraptured  Love  beholding. 


CHILDREN    AND    THE    CHURCH. 

MOST  tenderly  enjoined  upon  the  Church  is  childhood; 
The  little  ones  within  Christ's  arms 
Were  shielded  from  all  power  that  harms, 

As  safe  as  birdlings  of  the  wild  wood 
When  mother  wings  repel  alarms. 
16 


242  Later  Poems. 

A  voice  is  heard  resounding  from  a  lonely  manger 

In  baby  tones  and  yet  divine : 
It  charges  that  the  Bride  entwine 

Her  sympathy  to  ward  from  danger 
The  buds  upon  the  mystic  vine. 

Hence  infants  to  the  sacramental  threshold  taken, — 

Protected  by  the  spotless  Dove, — 
To  God  are  sealed  through  rite  of  love ; 

Kind  offices  in  time  awaken 
A  trustfulness  that  looks  above. 

When  years  have  sped  in  which  the  "  line  and  precept " 
falling 

As  daily  falls  the  nursing  dew, — 
When  Duty,  Reason  brings  to  view, — 

They  openly  assume  their  calling, 
And  solemnly  their  vows  renew. 

The  "  olive  plants  "  are  not  our  own,  but  they  were  loaned  us 

To  do  God's  will  upon  his  sphere  — 
To  serve  him  from  the  earliest  year ; 

Such  tendrils  for  our  care  were  sent  us : 
Then  let  his  Church  the  children  rear. 


Later  Poems.  243 


"HOPE   MAKETH   NOT   ASHAMED." 

THE  Christian's  hope  is  on  the  Rock  of  Ages  founded, 
It  maketh  not  ashamed ; 

Its  choice  fruition  ne'er  by  matter  frail  is  bounded, 
For  life  beyond  't  was  framed. 

It  strives  to  reach  a  heavenly  habitation 

'Mid  endless  streams  of  love ; 
Its  safeguards  grovel  not  'mid  limits  of  probation 

Which  time  and  chance  may  move. 

It  clothes  with  courage  in  the  day  of  persecution, 

Made  tortured  Stephen  calm, 
A  Paul  before  Agrippa  filled  with  resolution, 

To  martyr's  wound  a  balm. 

It  cheers  when  e'en  the  dearest  friend  on  earth  has  left  us, 

An  angel  brightening  death ; 
When  misery  of  every  idol  hath  bereft  us, 

And  naught  remains  but  breath. 

O  Father,  in  this  fleeting  world  so  drenched  with  sorrow, 

Where  helpless  mortals  sigh, 
Where  prospects  brightest  prove  but  futile  on  the  morrow — 

May  hope  on  thee  rely. 


244  Later  Poems. 


TEACHERS   OF    IMMORTALITY. 

WHAT  pleasant  tokens  teach 
Of  immortality ! 

They  dwell  outside  the  commonplace ; 
They  breathe  in  sighing  winds, 
And  chant  in  murmuring  seas ; 
They  haunt  us  in  the  moonlight, 
Revive  in  bird  or  tree  ; 
Are  found  within  the  beautiful 
That  smiles  on  nature's  face, 
Inviting  to  be  dutiful, 
To  rise  from  sin's  disgrace ; 
They  come  in  hallowed  dreams 
That  lift  from  tedious  fact, 
In  forms  that  bless  the  past 
And  in  the  present  act; 
They  dwell  in  all  the  charms  of  earth, 
The  remnants  of  an  Eden  left, 
And  he  who  cannot  trace  their  birth 
Of  finest  sense  must  be  bereft. 


THE    SILKWORM. 

THE  silkworm  spins  around  his  form, 
And  from  his  form  the  gold  cocoon 
To  merchandise  a  valued  boon  — 
Still  weaves  he  on  in  calm  or  storm. 


Later  Poems.  245 

His  being  fades  like  day  in  night, 
But  not  for  welfare  of  his  own : 
It  fades  to  deck  the  richest  throne, 

Or  beauty's  charms  in  halls  of  light. 

He  makes  his  shroud,  his  coffin  makes 

In  all  this  work  for  others  done 

From  early  dawn  to  set  of  sun — 
His  task  completed,  death  o'ertakes. 

And  as  to  silkworm,  so  to  each 

A  work  is  given  for  day  by  day ; 

Though,  not  like  him,  man  oft  may  play, 
Yet  all  must  spin  some  end  to  reach. 

And  when  we  've  wound  and  wound  about 
The  thread  that  from  our  being  springs, 
And  man  at  last  his  offering  brings, 

The  doom-bell  tolls,  the  lamp  goes  out. 

But  as  the  cheerful  butterfly 

The  grub  unsightly  leaves  behind, 
Man's  clod  the  soul  can  never  bind : 

It  quits  earth's  toil  and  soars  on  high. 


246  Later  Poems. 


AT  A  BANQUET  OF  THE  SONS  OF  THE 
REVOLUTION, 

ON  WASHINGTON'S  BIRTHDAY,  1895. 

TO-DAY  we  recall  the  American  man, 
Of  elements  rarely  combined, 
A  statesman,  a  hero,  one  leading  the  van, 
A  Christian  in  heart  and  in  mind. 

Like  Alfred  he  lives  in  a  chronicle  green, 

Like  Winkelried,  Vasa,  or  Tell; 
A  noble  within  as  in  dignified  mien, — 

His  name  too  a  watchword,  a  spell. 

Old  England  her  colonies  favored  with  tea, 
The  best  that  her  market  supplied, — 

With  Gunpowder,  Hyson,  and  also  Bohea, 
Unloosing  each  tongue  far  and  wide. 

But,  laden  with  duties,  our  ancestors  vowed 
China's  cup  they  would  nevermore  taste : 

As  Indians  disguised  to  the  wharves  did  they  crowd, 
The  harbor  bestrewing  with  waste. 

O'erboiling  with  wrath,  Britain's  rulers  received 

Report  of  the  act  that  was  done, — 
The  motherland  feeling  intensely  aggrieved 

At  treatment  so  brusque  from  her  son. 


Later  Poems.  247 

At  once  she  determined  to  flog  the  rude  child, 

As  little  ones  whipped  the  taxed  top ; 
But  soon  she  discovered,  by  anger  made  wild, 

His  perverseness  the  youth  failed  to  drop. 

'T  was  the  boy  whipped  the  mother,  and  not  she  the  boy, 

Rebelling  at  what  he  was  taught; 
Who  managed  at  last  e'en  her  rule  to  destroy, 

For  one  somewhat  better — he  thought. 

"  Yankee  Doodle  "  was  all  our  militia  required 

Their  dander  to  rouse  for  a  fight ; 
Nor  tea  nor  yet  whisky  the  patriot  fired 

Trained  red-coats  to  scatter  in  flight. 

With  flint-lock  and  blunderbuss  —  ordnance  low  — 

Redoubt  with  its  cannon  they  took ; 
Each  man,  like  old  Put.,  in  the  midst  of  the  foe, 

A-soldiering  on  his  own  hook. 

Now  choicest  of  Hyson  the  dainty  may  drink — 

The  ballot's  decision  controls ; 
If  impost  drive  on  to  a  ruinous  brink, 

Redress  will  drive  back  at  the  polls. 

We  brethren  in  line  of  such  patriot  band 

Its  purpose  should  strictly  maintain ; 
Encroachment  of  party  or  sect  to  withstand 

On  principle's  jealous  domain; 


248  Later  Poems. 

Should  carefully  watch,  lest  the  tyrant  invade 
Those  rights  won  by  bullet  and  steel : 

Like  shepherds  their  flocks,  in  repose  of  some  glade, 
The  wolf  in  sheep's  garb  to  reveal. 

Our  function  it  is  that  Bartholdi's  grand  tower, 

In  view  of  the  Battery  Park, 
Shall  shine  like  the  sun,  giving  Liberty  power, 

Where  slavery  thrives  in  the  dark. 

'T  is  ours  to  cleanse  if  defilement  o'erspread, 
Obscuring  our  'scutcheon  once  fair; 

From  sloth's  mausoleum  to  waken  the  dead  — 
When  the  ship  of  state  leaks,  to  repair. 

With  eyes  always  open  'mid  every-day  walk, 

And  love  for  Columbia's  soil, 
Our  presence  a  terror,  if  Anarchy  stalk, 

Its  greed  for  destruction  will  foil. 

To  those  who  from  foreign  shores  kindly  apply 

To  relieve  us  of  national  sway, 
Enlightened  self-government,  let  us  reply, 

Is  presumed  the  American  way. 

Humanity's  chain  binds  our  States  into  one ; 

'T  is  brotherly  love  best  we  know. 
Verbum  sat.     Let  the  stream  of  prosperity  run, 

Engulfing  misrule  in  its  flow. 


Later  Poems.  249 

Dishonored  the  man  keeping  honor  from  him 

Who  noblest  of  governments  gave  — 
Who  will  not,  to-day,  pledge  his  fame  to  the  brim, 

Or  has  not  a  wreath  for  his  grave. 

And  shame  to  the  bigot  with  minimum  soul 

Who  sees  but  a  fraction  of  earth ; 
Who  welcomes  not  strangers,  from  pole  unto  pole, 

That  rejoice  in  our  Washington's  birth. 

And  One  rules  above  who  the  truth  will  uphold, 

And  His  truth  do  we  seek  to  defend; 
If  allegiance  to  Him  in  our  hearts  we  enfold, 

Our  God  will  He  prove  to  the  end. 


THE  UNIVERSITY  LIBRARY 
UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA,  SANTA  CRUZ 

This  book  is  due  on  the  last  DATE  stamped  below. 


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